Montefranco

“Freiberg Heilig Kreuz” is called the first church of Montefranco, a little hamlet on the slopes of the Val Venosta Monte Tramontana

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The shady Monte Tramontana with Montefranco in winter, on the other side of the valley is the entrance to the Val Senales, where the skiing area on the Val Senales Glacier is open until April.
Foto: AT, © Peer
video : Lake Zirmtal
In May, the meadows of Monteftranco on the slopes of the Monte Tramontana, a hamlet in the municipality of Castelbello-Ciardes, are in bloom.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Ortlhof, Pramant and Feicht are some of the farms that make up Montefranco: In the centre of the mountain village is the small Holy Cross Church.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Anton and Peter Raffeiner built the first church in 1815, which was followed only nine years later by the present-day chapel of “Freiberg Hl. Kreuz”.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Wooden or stone wayside shrines can be seen along the paths and roads, often showing the image of a saint: They are called “Marterl”.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Montefranco is dominated by agriculture, the lower farms are dedicated to fruit growing, further up is the Montefranco Hut at 1,674 m a.s.l.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Higher up, livestock farming predominates, with goats, cows and sheep grazing on the meadows that slope down to the valley floor and the Adige.
Foto: AT, © Peer
From the typical scattered settlement, the view extends to the Monte Sole on the other side of the valley: Castelbello and Ciardes are located there.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Mountain bikers can choose from various well-signposted trails: A popular destination, for example, is the Marzon Mountain Hut.
Foto: AT, © Peer
Almost four hours to reach the Kofelraster or Covolo Lakes, a hike that leads across the alpine pastures from the Val Venosta to the Val d’Ultimo.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The Covolo Lakes (2,405 m a.s.l.) are located on the border ridge between the two South Tyrolean valleys, with Mt. Gran Ladro towering above them.
Foto: MS, © Peer

The Monte Tramontana separates the Val d'Ultimo valley from the Val Venosta valley, where it gently descends to the valley floor. On its slopes and below are several villages that belong to the municipality of Castelbello-Ciardes. One of them is Montefranco (Freiberg), whose church was already built in 1815 and is known today as "Freiberg Hl. Kreuz" (Montefranco Holy Cross). The choir, tower and sacristy characterise this charming little village chapel.

Montefranco, or more precisely the "Alte Säge" car park, is an ideal starting point for hikes in the warm season and for ski tours in winter. Incidentally, this hikers' car park really owes its name to a saw: The old saw of Montefranco can still be seen next to it. Parts of the paths are passable by MTB and e-bike, making the Monte Tramontana a popular destination for active holidaymakers and locals. Its counterpart rises on the other side of the valley - the steppe-like Monte Sole.

From Montefranco, you can discover the Covolo Lakes and the eponymous alpine pasture, the Malga dei Cirmoli hut and its mountain lake, the Tarres and the Montefranco Mountain Huts. Here at an altitude of almost 1,700 m, a South Tyrolean Marende with cold cuts, spreads and black bread taste even better. Also the hike to the Marzon Hut can be done from the mountain hamlet.

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