Villa Ottone / Uttenheim

The village of Uttenheim, located at 837 meters above sea level, has 1000 inhabitants and is a fraction of the municipality of Gais. The first settlements existed 1000 years ago, and even today, the idyllic village is a popular holiday destination for young and old. From here, you can plan your holiday in peace and explore the leisure activities of the surrounding area. Whether it's a leisurely hike, a day trip to Bruneck, or an exciting mountain bike tour, the possibilities are almost endless. Enthusiastic water rats also get their money's worth here, as the Ahr is particularly suitable for rafting or canyoning adventures.

For those who simply want to explore the area, Villa Ottone / Uttenheim is a good starting point to visit the other villages in the municipality. Mühlbach, Tesselberg, and the main village of Gais are only a few kilometers away and provide some variety in the holiday program. Each village is a little gem in itself, with something to discover at every turn. You can find refreshment and sustenance at one of the numerous inns or on the terrace of a small café.

Back in Uttenheim, it is definitely worth taking a look at the parish church and its history. The church of St. Margaret is an architectural masterpiece in the neo-Gothic style; it impresses not only with its exterior, but also with its interior. The church's premises contain artful ceiling paintings, lovingly crafted statutes, and carefully illustrated panels depicting the Stations of the Cross.

The castle of Uttenheim, which was estimated to have been built around 1100, was originally owned by the "Nobles of Uttenheim." This noble family served the Lords of Taufers and significantly influenced the development of the village. With the extinction of the nobles, turbulent times began for the castle. The owners changed frequently, and the stately building was on the brink of collapse time and time again. In 1427, the castle had its most famous administrator: the renowned minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein made a stop here and briefly directed the affairs around the castle.

Since 1929, the castle has been owned by a private family, although today only parts of the original complex are preserved. Particularly worth seeing: the location. The ruin perches above Villa Ottone / Uttenheim on a hill - on the left and right, the castle rocks fall steeply. Those who enjoy visiting the castle of Uttenheim should also visit the Ansitz Stock and the Ansitz Plankensteiner. The latter was built by the Lords of Wolkenstein and is now preserved as much as possible.

Around Villa Ottone / Uttenheim, there is a green leisure paradise for active holidaymakers and sports enthusiasts. Cyclists and hikers, in particular, can enjoy numerous tours - from easy to challenging, there is something for everyone. For example, families can take a bike ride to the Reinbach waterfalls - the cycling route here is mainly straight with no significant inclines. Professionals may prefer a climb to the Chemnitzer Hütte. It is located at the Nevesjoch at an altitude of 2420 meters. The route is approximately 52 kilometers long and is therefore only suitable for well-trained cyclists.