Castles, museums, and a golf club are located in Appiano Monte, a panoramic village
West of Appiano lies the small hamlet of Appiano Monte. Nestled among houses, the fire station, and vineyards are several castles and manor houses worth visiting. Palù-Schulthaus Castle with its late Gothic paintings is one of them, open to the public for some years now. In the adjacent Museum of Medieval Culture of Living, you can admire the well-preserved rooms and frescoes.
Another impressive estate is the 13th-century Lodrone Castle. It houses the castle chapel of St. Andrew and now serves as a conference and recreation centre. Lodrone is particularly renowned for its Golf Academy with the spacious driving range, 16 tee-off positions and four practice greens. It's a training centre and the ideal complement to the Appiano Golf Club in Riva di Sotto.
Appiano Monte (Eppan Berg) is the newest district of Appiano - until recently, it belonged to the main village of San Michele. The centre, situated at about 450 metres above sea level, overlooks the mild valley floor and stretches up to the imposing Mendola Ridge and the Mendola Pass.
This area is wonderful to explore on foot, for instance, along the Mendola Trail, a hiking path that meanders through the forests of Caldaro and Appiano. In these forests, you'll encounter a fascinating natural phenomenon: the Ice Holes in the wide basin at the foot of Monte Ganda.
