Discover Unterinn: Apple Orchards, Churches and Trails

Unterinn, known as Auna di Sotto in Italian, lies at an elevation of 899 metres and has a mild climate and lush vegetation. The village is situated amid apple orchards on a natural terrace facing south. The elevation of 899 metres, the southern exposure and the apple orchards define the village’s specific location. For those interested in nature, these three details are Unterinn’s direct landscape features. Here, the landscape, churches, local history and trails can be combined to suit different travel interests.

Churches and Traces of the Past

The parish church of Auna di Sotto, the Church of St Lucia, was consecrated in 1273 in honour of Saint Lucia. The castle of the Lords of Zwingenstein stood on a wooded hill in Unterinn and was destroyed in 1276 by Count Meinhard II of Tyrol-Gorizia. The parish church and the wooded castle hill are two different historical sites in Unterinn. For those interested in culture, the Church of St Lucia and the history of the Lords of Zwingenstein stand side by side as specific historical topics.

Just outside Unterinn, the small Church of St Sebastian is romantically situated on a hill. For those interested in culture, the local connection thus extends from the parish church and the castle complex to the small church on the hill.

Music as Part of the Village Character

The Auna di Sotto brass band was founded in 1804. The Unterinn brass band is one of the oldest brass music associations on the Ritten and performs at religious festivals, concerts and ceremonial occasions. Anyone wishing to include local music history will find a specific association here with a clear chronological context.

Ritten Chestnut Trail and Regional Products

The trails also provide a clear framework for planning a trip. The first stage of the Ritten Chestnut Trail leads from Runkelstein Castle in Bolzano to Unterinn, or Auna di Sotto. Along the Chestnut Trail, direct marketers offer regional products. The Chestnut Trail combines the route between Bolzano and Unterinn with the range of regional products.

Hike to the Earth Pyramids

Another specific activity is the hike to the earth pyramids. It begins at the public car park below the Kohl business in Auna di Sotto and invites visitors to sample apple juice and mountain honey. The starting point below the Kohl business is therefore geographically defined; apple juice and mountain honey complement the earth pyramids as the destination with regional products. For those interested in nature, this hike brings the earth pyramids, apple juice and mountain honey together in the same specific context.

For planning a day, the trails begin in different places: Runkelstein Castle in Bolzano marks the start of the first stage of the Chestnut Trail, while the public car park below the Kohl business marks the start of the hike to the earth pyramids; the route then leads to Unterinn, while the second hike begins in Auna di Sotto. In Unterinn, the trail starting points differ according to the destination.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bolzano.