Monte Santa Caterina

Monte Santa Caterina, which sits at an altitude of 1,245 m a.s.l. in the first section of the valley, is enthroned on a cliff-face. In past times the Schnalsburg castle, from which this valley takes its German name, towered over the landscape here. In 1350 the castle was destroyed by the Carthusians. In its place, in 1500 the parish church was constructed in Romanesque style and was further extended in 1748.

The village offers an incomparable panoramic view over the Senales valley, Val d'Adige and Juval Castle, which is owned by Reinhold Messner and which houses one of the five Messner Mountain Museums.

Its favourable position gives Monte Santa Caterina a mild climate, which means that it offers ideal conditions for hiking in the mountains in early spring and late autumn. From here you can quickly reach the Alta via meranese or Merano high route and the Tessa Group Nature Park.