Riffian between Archaeology, Pilgrimage Church and Hiking Trails

Culture and History in Riffian

Riffian can be reached from Merano by regular bus route 240. The village is home to the Vita Raetica permanent exhibition and the Riffian pilgrimage church. There are also trails in Riffian and destinations in the surrounding area.

Vita Raetica and Sacred Buildings

The Vita Raetica permanent exhibition is located in Riffian and presents archaeological finds. The objects on display include tools, vessels and pieces of jewelry. There are also pictorial representations of ritual acts and inscriptions. Vita Raetica therefore includes both material objects and pictorial and written evidence. The term archaeological finds can thus encompass both objects and surviving representations and texts.

The Pietà devotional image in the Riffian pilgrimage church is a cast-stone work from around 1415. In art, a Pietà refers to a depiction of the grieving Mary with Christ’s body. The cemetery chapel of Our Lady at the cemetery is a two-storey, square building from around 1400.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

Schenna is a castle in the vicinity of Riffian. Johanneum Dorf Tirol is a palace in the vicinity of Riffian. Brunnenburg is a museum in the vicinity of Riffian. Castel Tirolo is a castle in the vicinity of Riffian.

Mountains, Viewpoint and Waterfall

Passeggiata Lungo Passirio is a viewpoint in the vicinity of Riffian. La Croda Grande is a summit in the area around Riffian. Picco Ivigna Grande is a mountain in the area around Riffian. Cascate di Parcines is a waterfall in the area around Riffian. The terms distinguish between the types of landscape: a viewpoint is intended for looking out over the surrounding area, while summit, mountain and waterfall each refer to distinct landforms.

Burgstall and the Way There

Burgstall is a settlement from the late Iron Age in Riffian that was used for several centuries from around 400 BC onward. The excavated central manor house of Burgstall is well preserved. From Riffian, Burgstall can be reached on foot in about 40 minutes via Kirchweg and Gnealersteig. The late Iron Age places Burgstall within a historical epoch, while the approximate date indicates when its use began.

Hiking Trails and Trail Routes

From the tourist information office in Riffian, the route leads via Kirchweg (No. 5) and Trail No. 3B to the Riffian Waalweg. A trail begins above Kuens at the start of the Waalweg and ends at the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows in Riffian. The Zauberweg in Riffian is a family-friendly hiking trail with 15 interactive experience stations. Traditionally, a Waalweg is a path running alongside an irrigation canal. Experience stations are individual points along a trail, each designed around its own experience or topic.

More places for your travel planning: Nals, St. Pankraz, Partschins, Ulten, Moos In Passeier, Tscherms, Sankt Martin In Passeier, Marling.

To the higher-level travel overview: Burggrafenamt.