The waterfall that gave the Wasserfallspitz its name feeds from a rock delta of jagged rocks in granite stone. The mountain streams swell to torrents during heavy rain and...
In the 1930s (exact records are missing), there was a huge rockfall "Hinter der Höhe", when boulders the size of a family house came crashing down from the Wasserfallspitz...
It was the winter of 1964 when a huge avalanche of snow came crashing down the mountain in the Reintal valley. At that spot, a waterfall falls down into the valley...
a chapel was built at the back of the house with the permission of the prince-bishop's ordinariate of Brixen. According to oral tradition, the intention was to...
During the renovation of the façade in 2003, the windows and parts of the spray plaster were renewed. When a large slab of plaster broke out during the elaborate removal...
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01
The waterfall
The waterfall that gave the Wasserfallspitz its name feeds from a rock delta of jagged rocks in granite stone. The mountain streams swell to torrents during heavy rain and plunge into the depths as rushing waterfalls. Since the terrain cannot store water due to a lack of vegetation, the waters dry up in summer during prolonged drought. The gentle roar that forms the background scenery at the farm, however, does not come from the waterfall peak, but from the three Reinbach Falls, which - invisible from the Wegerhof - rush down the river channel cut into the rock.
01
The waterfall
The waterfall that gave the Wasserfallspitz its name feeds from a rock delta of jagged rocks in granite stone. The mountain streams swell to torrents during heavy rain and plunge into the depths as rushing waterfalls. Since the terrain cannot store water due to a lack of vegetation, the waters dry up in summer during prolonged drought. The gentle roar that forms the background scenery at the farm, however, does not come from the waterfall peak, but from the three Reinbach Falls, which - invisible from the Wegerhof - rush down the river channel cut into the rock.
02
The rockfall
In the 1930s (exact records are missing), there was a huge rockfall "Hinter der Höhe", when boulders the size of a family house came crashing down from the Wasserfallspitz. They took countless trees of the Wegerwald with them and remained on the opposite hill. Today, the monoliths lie surrounded by forest at the foot of their mountain.
02
The rockfall
In the 1930s (exact records are missing), there was a huge rockfall "Hinter der Höhe", when boulders the size of a family house came crashing down from the Wasserfallspitz. They took countless trees of the Wegerwald with them and remained on the opposite hill. Today, the monoliths lie surrounded by forest at the foot of their mountain.
03
The «Windslope»
It was the winter of 1964 when a huge avalanche of snow came crashing down the mountain in the Reintal valley. At that spot, a waterfall falls down into the valley as a gentle spray in summer. The snow remained in the valley, but the shock wave accompanying the avalanche whizzed up the opposite slope to the Wegeralm. The hut was facing this waterfall at the time, which meant that the upper, wooden part of the hut was swept away. All that remained were the remains of the stable walls made of porphyry stones.The owner of the farm at the time decided without further ado to move the hut 100 metres out of the valley. At this point it is better protected and still stands there today. The mountain meadow, as it is colloquially called, is now a designated protected area for rare grasses and plants.
03
The «Windslope»
It was the winter of 1964 when a huge avalanche of snow came crashing down the mountain in the Reintal valley. At that spot, a waterfall falls down into the valley as a gentle spray in summer. The snow remained in the valley, but the shock wave accompanying the avalanche whizzed up the opposite slope to the Wegeralm. The hut was facing this waterfall at the time, which meant that the upper, wooden part of the hut was swept away. All that remained were the remains of the stable walls made of porphyry stones.The owner of the farm at the time decided without further ado to move the hut 100 metres out of the valley. At this point it is better protected and still stands there today. The mountain meadow, as it is colloquially called, is now a designated protected area for rare grasses and plants.
04
The ArventalIn
1645, the alpine pastures in the Arvental, in today's East Tyrol, were allocated. The Wegerhof was also to receive some "Gräßer" as a share. A "Graß" refers to a grazing right for a full-grown calf. Until a few decades ago, the arduous journey to the far-flung high valley at an altitude of 2189 metres was taken once a year in herds to conserve fodder for the winter. Even today, our young animals are brought to the Arventalalm, but with the help of smaller cattle trucks.
04
The ArventalIn
1645, the alpine pastures in the Arvental, in today's East Tyrol, were allocated. The Wegerhof was also to receive some "Gräßer" as a share. A "Graß" refers to a grazing right for a full-grown calf. Until a few decades ago, the arduous journey to the far-flung high valley at an altitude of 2189 metres was taken once a year in herds to conserve fodder for the winter. Even today, our young animals are brought to the Arventalalm, but with the help of smaller cattle trucks.
05
In 1964 the last sheep of the Wegerhof
were driven to the high plateau in Lannebach, situated between Sagernock (2667m) and Wasserfallspitz (2652m). The farm owns grazing rights for twenty sheep and four goats on this mountain slope. The sheep led their own lives up there and often had to be laboriously collected again, sometimes in the Antholz Valley on the other side of the mountain. Today, since sheep farming has largely been abandoned, there are only two hunting lodges in this area, run by the Ahornach hunting district.
05
In 1964 the last sheep of the Wegerhof
were driven to the high plateau in Lannebach, situated between Sagernock (2667m) and Wasserfallspitz (2652m). The farm owns grazing rights for twenty sheep and four goats on this mountain slope. The sheep led their own lives up there and often had to be laboriously collected again, sometimes in the Antholz Valley on the other side of the mountain. Today, since sheep farming has largely been abandoned, there are only two hunting lodges in this area, run by the Ahornach hunting district.
06
The reconstruction of the chapelIn 1895,
a chapel was built at the back of the house with the permission of the prince-bishop's ordinariate of Brixen. According to oral tradition, the intention was to give thanks for the recovery of the seriously ill wife of the farm owner. The chapel was dedicated to the Three Kings. The altarpiece shows the arrival of the Magi.In 1985, a serious ground fault occurred, which caused the apse of the chapel to sink by 20 cm, making the building unusable. Siegfried Oberhofer decided against a difficult renovation and had the chapel rebuilt in 1992 on newly constructed foundation walls in the neo-Gothic style.
06
The reconstruction of the chapelIn 1895,
a chapel was built at the back of the house with the permission of the prince-bishop's ordinariate of Brixen. According to oral tradition, the intention was to give thanks for the recovery of the seriously ill wife of the farm owner. The chapel was dedicated to the Three Kings. The altarpiece shows the arrival of the Magi.In 1985, a serious ground fault occurred, which caused the apse of the chapel to sink by 20 cm, making the building unusable. Siegfried Oberhofer decided against a difficult renovation and had the chapel rebuilt in 1992 on newly constructed foundation walls in the neo-Gothic style.
07
The hidden Lüftl painting
During the renovation of the façade in 2003, the windows and parts of the spray plaster were renewed. When a large slab of plaster broke out during the elaborate removal of the historic double windows, a yellow line became visible. Careful tapping of the adjacent spray plaster revealed a knight on a steed.The secco painting was probably applied by an itinerant painter. In the last centuries, itinerant painters went from homestead to homestead to apply so-called "Lüftlmalereien" to the walls of the houses in exchange for board and lodging and a small fee.
07
The hidden Lüftl painting
During the renovation of the façade in 2003, the windows and parts of the spray plaster were renewed. When a large slab of plaster broke out during the elaborate removal of the historic double windows, a yellow line became visible. Careful tapping of the adjacent spray plaster revealed a knight on a steed.The secco painting was probably applied by an itinerant painter. In the last centuries, itinerant painters went from homestead to homestead to apply so-called "Lüftlmalereien" to the walls of the houses in exchange for board and lodging and a small fee.
HOW TO FIND US
Geolocation
WOHNUNG
Coming via the Brenner motorway A22 (toll), take the exit Brixen-Pustertal, then follow the state road for 39 km in the direction of Bruneck until the junction with the Tauferer Ahrntal valley. Follow the state road for 15 km to Sand in Taufers. From Sand in Taufers follow the Reintalstraße to the Ahornach junction, continue to Untergasse 65 / Wegerhof.
From the north or south via Franzensfeste/Fortezza to the Bruneck stop. From the east via Lienz and San Candido to the Brunico stop. Let us know and we will be happy to pick you up at the station.
From the Felbertauern or Tauern Tunnel (both subject to tolls), continue via Spital and Lienz across the Austrian/Italian border past San Candido to Brunico where you enter the Tauferer Ahrntal valley. Follow the state road for 15 km to Sand in Taufers. From Sand in Taufers follow the Reintalstraße to the Ahornach junction, continue to Untergasse 65 / Wegerhof.