Lake Costalovara and the Plattner Beekeeping Museum define this charming village
Image gallery: Costalovara
In summer, Lake Costalovara on the Renon plateau entices visitors with refreshing swimming and sunny spots for relaxation. In winter, it transforms into a glistening expanse of ice, perfect for ice skating and hockey. Its excellent water quality makes it one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in Italy. The restaurant right on the shore provides refreshments.
Carp, pike, tench, and eels populate the waters, which often freeze over in winter at its alpine location of 1,172 metres above sea level. Costalovara nestles on the slope of the Renon mountain, north of Bolzano. It stretches between the village centre with the late Baroque Church of St. Joseph and its distinctive onion dome, the idyllic lake, and the route of the historic Renon Railway, which connects Soprabolzano with Costalovara (Wolfsgruben) and Collalbo.
Originally a cogwheel railway running directly from the Piazza Walther square in Bolzano up to the high plateau, today it's a comfortable red train. The journey is particularly atmospheric during Advent, when the stations transform into small Christmas Markets. Honey plays a special role in Costalovara. On the edge of the village, you'll find the Beekeeping Museum with its extensive outdoor area. Here, you can see numerous devices used in honey production.
The educational trail tells of the various bee species, focusing on the Western honey bee, which collects around 20 milligrams of pollen per flight. The heart of the museum is the 600-year-old Plattner Farm. You'll encounter the name Plattner frequently in South Tyrol because the blossom and forest honey produced here is sold throughout the region.
