Discover San Genesio village, larch meadows, and the historic Lavena Chapel
The main village of San Genesio Atesino sits on a sloping terrace at around 1,100 metres above sea level. Visible from the road leading up from Bolzano, the village will have a rebuilt cable car connecting it to the valley in the next years. The village name, incidentally, derives from Saint Genesius of Rome, patron saint of actors, musicians, and dancers. The parish church is also dedicated to him. San Genesio village (Jenesien Dorf) houses the library, primary and middle school, and several restaurants, nestled between the volunteer fire station and the town hall.
Farms, complete with livestock, encircle the village. Hiking opportunities abound: The European long-distance path E5 leads from the centre across larch meadows, dotted with grazing cows and Haflinger horses, to the panoramic spot of Lavena, or Langfenn, home to an inn and a chapel. The Church of St. James dates back to the 12th century and is one of South Tyrol's oldest churches.
Inviting spots along the path offer rest stops and a sense of tranquillity few other places can match. In recent years, several themed trails have been developed in the municipality. They tell of bygone times on the San Genesio Lumberjack Trail, showcase the area's unique features on the Guggnweg, and recount local myths on the Legends Trail on the Salto.
These are fascinating excursions on the Salto, Europe's largest high-altitude larch plateau. Just below the village edge, in the sports area, you can relax in the San Genesio outdoor pool on warm summer days. During the colder months, winter hikes and horse-drawn sleigh rides beckon.
