Barbiano: Waterfalls, Churches and Plum Culture

Barbiano between Nature and Village Culture

Barbiano is a destination where waterfalls, historic churches and a distinctive regional cultivation tradition come together. Those who wish to combine nature, sacred art and regional cuisine will find a range of options here for planning their day. The trails, buildings and plum events each offer their own focus.

Churches and Sacred Art

The parish church of Barbiano is dedicated to Saint James the Elder. Its high altar contains a copy of the Crucifixion of Wechselburg. The church in Barbiano was built in the 13th century; only its leaning bell tower has survived from this building. Its dedication, altar and bell tower offer different historical and artistic points of interest when visiting the church in Barbiano.

In Bad Dreikirchen, the church dedicated to Saint Gertraud is considered the oldest of the three churches; it has been documented since 1237. The Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre is located near the Wohlaufhof farm and has a simple Baroque altar. To view the interiors of the churches in Bad Dreikirchen, you can ask for the key at the Messnerhof inn located directly next to them. Guided tours are possible only by prior registration at +39 0471 650 059.

Other cultural attractions can be found around Barbiano: Monastero di Sabiona is a monastery, Castel Salego is a castle, Castel Velturno is a museum and Museo della Apicoltura Plattner is also a museum. These different types of buildings broaden the cultural perspective beyond the churches in Barbiano and Bad Dreikirchen.

Waterfalls and Trails

The waterfalls of Barbiano are fed by the Gander stream. It collects tributaries from the moors of the Barbianer Alpe at 2,000 m. The hike begins in the village centre on the Waterfall Trail leading southeast. Through meadows and woodland, you reach the lower cascade at 1,000 m; it is about 30 minutes from the starting point. Via stone steps, footbridges and short secured sections, the trail continues to the upper cascade at 1,170 m.

The Barbianer Plum Trail begins in the village square and leads towards Unterdorf, past Feltuner and on to the wayside cross. It then climbs past Stich and Frühaufhof, via Haus Urban and through Oberdorf, before returning to the village centre. For planning your day, this route offers a different focus from the hike to the cascades: it passes through several farms and parts of the village.

Monte Castello, Rasciesa di Fuori, Monte Castrale and Königsanger are peaks in the area around Barbiano. This gives you waterfalls and mountain peaks as distinct landscape themes to consider when planning your trip.

Plum Culture and Dates

The Barbianer plum has been an important part of Barbiano's cultivation tradition since the late Middle Ages. The 2026 Barbianer Plum Weeks include guided excursions along the Plum Trail on 1 and 8 September. These focus on information about the Barbianer plum as well as places to stop for meals featuring plum dishes. If these dates fit your trip, the trail offers more than exercise, adding a culinary and cultural perspective.

More Destinations to Compare

For comparison with other Italian destinations, you can also view Innichen, Siusi, Obereggen, Anterselva Di Sotto, Oberinn, Fundres, Lazfons and Kaltern an der Weinstraße.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bolzano.