The steeple of the Monte Santa Caterina parish church can be seen from afar, as it is located on a rock shelter
Image gallery: Monte Santa Caterina
Hardly could a location be more idyllic than the one of Monte Santa Caterina. Located in the midst of wide pastures at an altitude of 1,245 m, the parish church enthrones the top of a rock spur. This is where a long time ago there was a castle that has been demolished around 1350. Around 1500, exactly in this place a chapel was built, in 1748 it was enlarged in Romanesque style.
Thanks to the unique position of the village, you can overlook the entire Val Senales as well as the Val d’Adige. Also Juvel Castle, the summer residence of Reinhold Messner, can be admired from Monte Santa Caterina. The idyllic landscape makes hiking a real pleasure: from Monte Santa Caterina you can start the Merano High Path (Alta Via di Merano), which is one of the most beautiful circular routes of the Alps, surrounding the Gruppo di Tessa on a course of 100 km. The most ancient alpine pasture of South Tyrol, the “Moar Alm”, is also only a stone’s throw away. Its history dates back to at least 800 years.
Monte Santa Caterina with its sunny position and mild climate is also charming in winter. The skiing area Val Senales Glacier, open from autumn to May, is easily reachable in a 25 minutes’ drive. However, for those who love cross-country skiing, there are 30 km of runs in the valley.
