Birti

The hamlet of Birti comprises a handful of houses strung along the quiet road between the centre of Vadena and Varco Castle, a popular route for cyclists. A ditch borders the road as it meanders southward. Resembling a monument amidst the houses, the 24.6-meter-high tower of the former St. Magdalene's Church rises above all other buildings.

The tower, and the now vanished church, date back to the 12th century. Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, decreed the church's secularisation in the 18th century, and it was converted into a residential building. Shortly afterwards, it was demolished - a new building now stands in its place.

St. Magdalene's Church was rebuilt in the centre of Vadena. This, too, is an intriguing structure. In the medieval castle courtyard, a staircase leads up to the church. While a standalone building, it still appears integrated within the castle complex. Frescoes dating from around 1410 AD, originally housed in the bell tower, are now preserved in the town hall.

You can admire the original frescoes at the nearby Bolzano Municipal Museum. Birti lies just 15 kilometres from Bolzano yet remains enveloped by nature's vibrant hues. The apple blossom cloaks the orchards in white, followed by the lush green of summer. Finally, in autumn, the vineyards and the Monte di Mezzo mountain above Birti glow in gold and ochre tones.