A paradise for culture and history enthusiasts

Distance: 20-37 kilometres

A trip up the Passo del Rombo/Timmelsjoch is a unique experience. The pass connects Val Passiria/Passeiertal with Ötztal and is passable from the end of May to October. To get to the Passo del Rombo/Timmelsjoch, turn left at Moos in Passeier onto the Passo del Rombo/Timmelsjoch road. Along this scenic drive – considered Tyrol’s most picturesque – stand five captivating sculptures. They shed light on the region’s nature, history, culture, society, and economy. The first sculpture, the “Garnet”, situated just past Moos in Passeier, offers profound insights into the culture of Val Passiria/Passeiertal. A peek through its telescope reveals the geology of the rear Val Passiria/Passeiertal. At the border, the architecturally unique Pass Museum provides information about the history of the Passo del Rombo/Timmelsjoch. On the Austrian side, you will see "Smugglers”, which tells the story of smuggling over the pass, and a footbridge with information about the landscape.

Distance: 9 kilometres

Are you familiar with the history of the Tyrolean freedom fights? From April to November 1809, these conflicts raged between the local Tyroleans and the invading Bavarian-French forces. The date 17 November 1809 marked a pivotal moment, as a vast number of French troops aimed to seize Meran by crossing the Passo di Giovo/Jaufenpass into Val Passiria/Passeiertal. However, the people of Passeier, led by Andreas Hofer, fought back with all their might, and the occupiers were forced to surrender on 22 November. The casualties, comprising 22 locals from Passeier, 200 French infantry, and 30 officers, found their final resting place in what was once the plague burial ground in St. Leonhard in Passeier. In 1959, a marble plaque was erected to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the battle. The French Cemetery is now an extension of the MuseumPasseier and is accessible free of charge.

Distance: 7.5 kilometres

The most famous Tyrolean freedom fighter was Andreas Hofer. This wine and cattle merchant, farmer, and later freedom fighter was born in 1767 in the Sandwirt in St. Leonhard and was known as an honest and friendly person. After his arrest and execution in Mantua, he went down in the history books. Today, Andreas Hofer’s 17th-century birthplace, now a protected heritage site, is home to a museum detailing his captivating tale.

Distance: 7.5 kilometres

MuseumPasseier sprawls across various locations, with its central exhibit housed in what used to be Andreas Hofer’s barn and stable. Hard to imagine that the famous Tyrolean freedom fighter fed his cattle here some 200 years ago, isn’t it? On the ground floor of the museum, you can examine various objects and tools belonging to Andreas Hofer and immerse yourself in a film chronicling his life and significant role in the Tyrolean freedom fights. The upper floor houses exhibits on the folklore of the region. In the commemorative year 2009, the museum was extended with an underground annexe, which houses the Helden & Hofer (“Heros & Hofer”) exhibition. Other branches of MuseumPasseier can be found in Pfistradalm, Jaufenburg, and the Mooseum bunker in Moos.

Distance: 16 kilometres

They witnessed the last ice age and are a true natural phenomenon: the glacier mills in Platt in the rear of Val Passiria/Passeiertal. There are about 20 glacier basins of different sizes – from a few centimetres to 10.5 metres across. The largest glacier mill is five to six metres deep. They were formed about 22,000 to 10,000 years ago by meltwater flowing from the surface of the glaciers. The water exerted a pressure of up to 200km/h on the stones. Today, visitors can explore these relics of the past along a well-marked hiking trail, with one of the mills open for public viewing.

Distance: 11 kilometres

Since the 13th century, Giovo/Jaufenburg Castle has guarded the road leading from Tyrol Castle over the Passo di Giovo/Jaufenpass to Sterzing. Originally just a modest tower, the Counts Fuchs von Fuchsberg had the Jaufenburg rebuilt into a castle in 1320. When the castle was abandoned in the 18th century, it gradually began to deteriorate, and it was finally auctioned off in the 19th century. In 2000, the keep and the frescoes were renovated, and since 2003, the five-storey tower has been part of the MuseumPasseier and open to the public. An interesting exhibition of display boards, paintings, and installations provides information about the history of Giovo/Jaufenburg Castle and the settlement of the hill on which it stands. If you would like to visit the castle on foot, you can reach it from St. Leonhard in Passeier in about 20 minutes.