Fortezza / Franzensfeste

Even though the municipality of Fortezza / Franzensfeste is one of the smaller settlements in South Tyrol, it still has a lot to offer. With its 982 inhabitants, Franzensfeste is the ideal place for those looking for a peaceful and quiet accommodation. The town is located at 749 meters above sea level, somewhat secluded but still very easy to reach. From here, you can reach Brixen in about 20 minutes, and a day trip to Bozen is also worthwhile. At the end of the day, you return to Franzensfeste; time to enjoy the peace and warm hospitality. Due to its favorable geographical location, the town has always been an important hub. Originally, the Amber Road passed through here, and today the heavily frequented Brenner motorway has exits for Brixen and the Puster Valley. The town's coat of arms also tells the story of Franzensfeste's strategic "placement". The colors red, blue, and green are separated by a fork, representing the two major connections leading to the Puster Valley and the Eisack Valley. There is probably no better starting point for a successful holiday in South Tyrol. For those who do not want to wander far, they can explore Franzensfeste and the beautiful surroundings. Whether it's a walk in nature or a family hike to the popular Puntleider Lake.

If you wish, you can also walk in the footsteps of history here. In Fortezza / Franzensfeste, there is a fortress of the same name - it can be seen from a distance and therefore shapes the appearance of the town. The Franzensfeste fortress was built under the Habsburgs. Emperor Franz I initiated the construction in 1833, and 5 years later the fortress was put into operation by Emperor Ferdinand I. The facility was highly fortified and secured for the time, yet it was completed in the shortest time. The fortress consists of 3 parts, which can still be visited today. The middle part of the fortress is particularly impressive: there are numerous winding rooms, mysterious corridors, and a total of almost 500 stairs. From here, you can also enjoy a magnificent view of the lush green surroundings. Visits to the fortress are only possible as part of guided tours, including legends about "endless" stairs and mystical granite tunnels, as well as a look into the mountain part of the fortress.

Fortezza / Franzensfeste is also of historical significance due to another event. In the so-called Sachsenklemme, the men around the resistance fighter Andreas Hofer managed to lure French troops into an ambush and force them to surrender. Since the commemorative year 2009, there has been an Andreas Hofer Brewery at this location. It commemorates the courageous uprising and at the same time ensures that passing hikers can refresh themselves and relax a little.