At the entrance to the Val Martello in the Stelvio National Park lies Morter with its Montani di Sotto and Montani di Sopra Castles
Where the slopes rise towards the protected Monte Tramontana mountain and the Plima Stream has found its way from the Martello Valley into the Adige River, there is another district of Laces, Morter. It is an old village of lime burners and mortar makers, as is mentioned in the ancient land register of Churratia from the 9th century: "in villa Mortario" then simply became Morter.
Morter is an ideal destination for culture lovers: Due to its strategic location, Montani di Sotto Castle and Montani di Sopra Castle were built here. Montani di Sopra kept a treasure hidden in it: The library contained one of the oldest copies of the Song of the Nibelungs, dating from 1323, which is now in the Berlin-Dahlem State Archives. A jewel is the associated St. Stephen's Chapel in Montani di Sopra, which earns the nickname "Sistine Chapel of South Tyrol" from its valuable frescoes from the 15th century. The Morter Waalweg path leads you past these buildings. The Gothic parish church of St. Denis and the Romanesque Church of St. Vigilius are also worth a visit.
The neighbouring Val Martello is the gateway to the Stelvio National Park with its natural treasures: Countless hikes in summer show you the flora and fauna of this large protected area, where bearded vultures still live. They become beautiful winter hikes in the cold season. The ski and biathlon centre located here is part of Venosta Nordic, the cross-country skiing association that unites seven areas in the Val Venosta and therefore 135 km of cross-country ski tracks.
