Early Christian baptistery or prehistoric sacrificial site? St. Peter’s Basilica in the Castelvecchio Forest
At a little over 600 metres above sea level lies Castelvecchio (Altenburg), the highest point in the municipality of Caldaro on the Wine Road. This small village nestles in the Castelvecchio Forest, high above Caldaro village, the centre and main village of the ten districts of Caldaro.
Surrounded by orchards and vineyards, on the edge of the village stands the Gothic parish church of St. Vigilius of Trento with its brightly glazed roof tiles. The oldest fresco in Caldaro, St. Christopher dating back to 1320, can be seen on the tower walls. Near the church, you'll find a panoramic viewpoint with wooden benches. Here, you can enjoy the view of Lake Caldaro.
Another popular destination, especially in high summer, is the Rio Rastenbach Gorge. A pleasant coolness prevails here amidst moss and small waterfalls. The Peace Trail leads you to a cultural treasure of Caldaro: St. Peter's Basilica, the seventh station of the path. It is probably the oldest church in South Tyrol and one of the oldest sacred buildings in all of Tyrol.
Nearby discovered cup-marked stones date back to the Bronze Age around 1000 BC, while the history of the ruins themselves stretches back to the 4th to 6th century AD. You can reach the starting point of the hiking trail and the village by bus (Rastenbachklamm / Altenburg bus stops).
