Surrounded by orchards and mountains of the Nature Park of the Tessa massif, Parcines (Partschins in German) is a charming town in the province of Bolzano, located at short distance from the spa resort of Merano, at the entrance of Val Venosta. It is a particularly attractive location, ideal for nature and sport fans and those that love to combine hiking along the mountain paths with good food.
The name has pre-Roman origins and is documented for the first time in 1085.
The discovery, in 1552, of a milestone of the ancient Roman road Claudia Augusta, near the hamlet of Rabland, confirms that this, like many other parts of South Tyrol, were colonized by the Romans, who influenced the territories, not only the redistribution of land in "centurie", but reorganized the local transport with the construction of major roads. Even though these ways of communication favored a more rapid exchange of people and goods, with the fall of the Empire, paradoxically, it also allowed the Barbarians to reach more easily and conquest these places. The valuable artifact is now on display at the Bolzano Museum.
Sites of Interest:
- the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, already mentioned in 1264 and renewed in late Gothic style, is flanked by a Bell Tower, topped by a an onion shaped frame;
- the late Gothic style Church of St. James in Rablà;
- the Gothic Church of St. Helena in Tel, which preserves with a splendid XVI century Crucifix;
- the XII century Castle of Spauregg, today a private residence;
- Residence Gaudententurm, a former mansion of the lords of Parcines, also privately owned;
- Residence Stachelburg, originally built in the early XIV century, today is a winery;
- the Museum of the typewriter "Peter Mitterhofer", named after its inventor, a native of Parcines, with about 2000 exhibits;
- the waterfall of Parscines, one of the most impressive of South Tyrol, with a jump of about 98m.