The small village of Vanga is nestled in dense forests high above the Sarentino Gorge, where the mighty Johanneskofel rock towers
Image gallery: Vanga
In Vanga on the sunny side of the Alps you can enjoy nature and tranquillity to the fullest. The hamlet at more than 1,000 metres a.s.l. is surrounded by dense forests and wide meadows, secluded from the other hamlets and villages on the Renon Plateau. An inn, the primary school and the St. Vigilius Church form the centre of the village, and the old Parish Church of St. Peter stands on the outskirts. The farms of Vanga di Sotto stretch towards the Rio Vanga stream in the Sarentino Gorge. The stream itself flows into the Talvera River, which crosses Bolzano.
Vanga-Bellermont Castle, which was built by the influential Lords of Vanga (Wangen) from 1209 onwards, is an impressive sight. In 1277 AD it was destroyed, but within the 16th century it was rebuilt into a habitable building. The complex is now privately owned and unfortunately cannot be visited. However, it is not the first castle standing here, the previous one was enthroned not far away on the Johanneskofel (St. John's Rock), a 660 m high striking rock above the Sarentino Gorge. Today, the St. John Chapel, which gave the rock its name, still stands on its highest point. Findings tell that people already visited this conspicuous place in the Neolithic Age.
Vanga is also known for its connection to the Val Sarentino Valley: A road takes you from the Renon via Vanga and Vanga di Sotto (Lower Vanga) into the Sarentino Valley below. Vanga di Sotto is already part of the municipality of Sarentino, while Vanga is still part of the municipality of Renon. A beautiful hike in this less visited area on the Renon leads from Soprabolzano to Vanga and further into the Sarentino Gorge, a 3.5-hour tour with a suspension bridge as a highlight.
