Because the Talfer in the west and the Eisack in the east have hollowed out deep valleys, a pulpit has remained between the two rivers, which today is a high plateau bearing the name “Ritten”. High above the heart of South Tyrol you sit here on a box seat that offers an unbelievable view: to the south on the Bolzano basin, to the west on the Sarntal Alps and to the east in the middle of the most beautiful mountains in the world according to Reinhold Messner: the Dolomites.
So it is no wonder that Ritten, with an area of around 110 square kilometres, has always exerted a special attraction. To travellers as well as to those who stay here – whether permanently or only temporarily. The first category includes emperors and kings who passed here over the centuries on their way from the north to Rome. Later, in the 16th century, the fresh, clean air at Ritten was especially appreciated. Anyone who could (and these were above all rich people from Bolzano) built a summer resort house on the Rittner plateau and spent the hot days here.
