Vipiteno, the gateway to the Alps of South Tyrol

The name Sterzing remains shrouded in mystery for historians. Some link it to the legendary Sterzl or Starz, a crippled pilgrim and wanderer immortalized in the city’s coat of arms. Others suggest it derives from the Roman Vipitenum, where sesterces were minted. The history of Vipiteno begins in 15 BC, when the Romans, led by Drusus, opened the road toward the Brenner Pass and founded the station of Vipitenum, incorporated into the province of Raetia. In the 6th century AD, the Bavarians colonized the Isarco Valley, while in 1180 a new settlement called Stercengum was founded. From 1280, with the construction of the walls by Meinhard II, the city grew and prospered thanks to pilgrims, trade, and mining. The artistic and architectural renaissance marked the 15th–16th centuries, while the railway of 1867 opened new economic and tourist prospects, consolidating its importance up to the present day.

What to see in Vipiteno

 The inhabited center of Vipiteno developed along the Brenner road, a historic communication route between Italy and Germany. Despite the growth of modern districts, the urban layout has remained almost unchanged since the late 13th century, when Sterzing was elevated to city status, although only short stretches of the walls remain. The town is divided by the Civic Tower, known as the “Tower of the Twelve,” into the Old Town and the New Town, along the Reichstrasse, with shops and hotels now replacing the ancient workshops. The crenellated houses and elegant bay windows (Erker) create the atmosphere of a long banquet hall. The Tower of the Twelve, erected in 1469 and completed in 1473, served as the city gate; it was rebuilt after the fire of 1868. Contemporary is the Town Hall, with its polygonal bay window and Gothic stube with a chandelier in the shape of a woman. The Gothic Church of the Holy Spirit (1399) preserves 15th-century frescoes by Giovanni da Brunico, while the parish church of Santa Maria della Palude (1417) houses the winged altarpiece by Hans Multscher, a masterpiece of late Gothic realism. The Deutschhaus, the former palace of the Teutonic Knights, hosts the Multscher Museum and the music school. Nearby, Reifenstein Castle (12th century) fascinates with its Gothic stube and chapel, a symbol of the valley’s medieval history.

Events in Vipiteno 

Numerous traditional and cultural events are celebrated in Vipiteno: the Palm Sunday Procession, the Easter Market, the Farmers’ Market (May–October), the Blue Days (May), the Orfeo Music Festival (early July), the Lantern Festival (July–August), the Dumpling Festival (2nd Sunday of September), the Red Carpet (September–October), the Harvest Festival, and the Christmas Market.

What to see around Vipiteno 

The surroundings of Vipiteno offer fascinating historical and natural landmarks. Reifenstein Castle, perched on a rocky spur, preserves Gothic stube and a medieval chapel. Not far away, Fortezza Fortress, an Austro-Hungarian stronghold of the 19th century, hosts cultural exhibitions. Also not to be missed is Wolfsthurn Castle, an elegant baroque residence transformed into a museum of hunting and wildlife. Nature lovers can explore the Breonie and Sarentine Alps, walk along trails through pastures and forests, visit Lake Varna or the Rodengo Alp and the Ridanna Alpine Hut, ideal places for excursions, relaxation, and breathtaking views over the Isarco Valley.

Cover photo credits: essevu