Collepietra

Take route 182 to Collepietra, where part of Europe’s first astronomical observatory (the Max Valier Astronomical Observatory) is located.

Due to Collepietra’s favourable location, the sky above Eggental has been described and recognised by the Astronomitaly platform as “one of the most beautiful night skies in Italy”.

On foot, one can walk along the Sentiero delle Stelle (Star Trail) to a tree house in the shape of a space rocket positioned in the middle of the forest.

Other sites of interest in the area and the Earth Pyramids of Collepietra can be reached via the Pyramid Path. Information panels along the trail illustrate the formation process and the secrets of these earth pillars. During the last Ice Age, the area was in fact covered by ice caps.

Another interesting exhibition area is the Collepietra Local Museum, which tells the story of rural life, craft trades and the painful period of the war – one of the most beautiful museums of local history and culture in South Tyrol.

https://www.suedtirolerland.it/en/south-tyrol/val-d-ega/cornedo-all-isarco/collepietra/

photo © Alfred Tschager