Discover Riffian: Culture, Pilgrimage and Trails

Riffian between archaeology and pilgrimage

If you would like to combine culture and activity during your holiday, Riffian offers various points of interest. The village is home to the permanent Vita Raetica exhibition featuring archaeological finds. On display are tools, vessels, jewellery, depictions of ritual activities and inscriptions. A stay in Riffian therefore leads not only into the present-day village, but also into earlier ways of life.

Another cultural point of reference is the pilgrimage church of Riffian. Its Pietà devotional image is a cast-stone work dating from around 1415. The cemetery chapel of Our Lady at the Cemetery also bears witness to the village’s long architectural and religious history: it is a two-storey, square building dating from around 1400.

Burgstall on foot and as an archaeological site

Burgstall is located in Riffian and is a settlement dating from the Late Iron Age. It began to be used around 400 BC and remained in use for several centuries. The excavated central manor house of Burgstall is well preserved. Anyone interested in archaeology will find a tangible destination here where the village’s early history can be directly combined with a hike.

From Riffian, Burgstall can be reached on foot in around 40 minutes via the Kirchweg and the Gnealersteig. For families, the Zauberweg in Riffian offers a different form of hiking: the family-friendly trail has 15 activity stations. Depending on your travel plans, you can therefore choose between an archaeology-focused destination and a trail with playful activity stations.

Waal trails and pilgrimage church

From the information office in Riffian, the route leads via the Kirchweg, marked with the number 5, and Trail No. 3B to the Riffian Waal trail. Another route begins above Kuens at the start of the Waal trail and ends at the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows in Riffian. The two connections link trails and religious sites in different ways.

Cultural destinations in the surrounding area

The area around Riffian is home to four further destinations with different cultural focuses: Schenna is a castle, Johanneum Dorf Tirol is a palace, Brunnenburg is a museum and Castel Tirolo is a castle. The four destinations around Riffian complement the archaeological and religious themes of the cultural and pilgrimage sites in the village itself with additional perspectives. When choosing your hotel and planning your days, you can therefore consider whether you primarily want to combine local history, buildings or trails.

Mountains, waterfall and viewpoint

The area around Riffian also includes natural attractions. La Croda Grande is a summit in the surrounding area, while Picco Ivigna Grande is a mountain. Cascate di Parcines is a waterfall, while Passeggiata Lungo Passirio is a viewpoint nearby. Alongside culture and pilgrimage, different types of landscape can therefore also play a central role in planning your trip.

Riffian can be reached from Merano by scheduled bus route 240. For a journey without driving the entire way, this connection is a specific part of your arrival planning.

You can find further destinations for planning your trip under Gargazon, Plaus, St. Leonhard In Passeier, Ulten, Tisens, Marling, Partschins and Burgstall.

For the overarching travel overview: Burggrafenamt.