The jewel of San Valentino is Graveccio Castle, formerly the seat of the Lords of Villandro and the Counts of Tyrol
Image gallery: San Valentino di Villandro
San Maurizio lies to the south of the main village of Villandro, San Valentino (St. Valentin) to the north. The village streams have cut deep trenches into the landscape, which now separate these holiday destinations. San Valentino owes its name to St. Valentine of Terni, to whom the church is dedicated. This place name exists several times in South Tyrol: near Castelrotto, in the Upper Val Venosta and in Funes. From Chiusa, a few hairpin bends lead you uphill to this idyllic mountain village above the Valle Isarco valley. Along the street stands the single-nave St. Valentine Church with its steeple on the side. It was mentioned already in 1303 and burnt down a century later.
When it was rebuilt, it received the Gothic star vault that you can still see today. The most impressive building in San Valentino, however, is Graveccio Castle, which probably dates back to about 1150 and was the seat of the Lords of Villandro. It can already be seen from the valley floor.
Today, the castle invites you to spend a farm holiday. The Valle Isarco Chestnut Trail, known as "Keschtnweg", passes below it. Especially in the golden autumn, it offers an experience that can be done in one-day stages or short sections and combines exercise with enjoyment. The rural wine taverns serve then at the Toerggelen hearty dishes such as a "Schlachtplatte" with meat and sausages, sweet Krapfen and homemade Schlutzkrapfen, as the stuffed ravioli-like pasta is called.
