Terento (Terenten in German) is a quaint and charming town in the province of Bolzano, located along the famous so-called "Road of the Sun" of Val Pusteria, at 1200 meters of altitude. It enjoys a mild climate and also enjoys an excellent exposure, being surrounded by lush forests, and its proximity to the ski area of Plan de Corones, with its mountain trails, pastures and the genuine local cuisine traditions, which complete the touristic fame of this specific area.
The name has a clear Latin roots (from "torrentum", or "mountain stream") and was mentioned for the first time in a document that dates back to year 1000, found in the ancient monastery of Freising, which states that, at the time, Count Otto of Andechs assigned four farms of Terento to the bishop of Freising.
The area, however, was certainly inhabited since more ancient times, as confirmed by the numerous prehistoric exhibits found in the area. During the VII century, with the arrival of Bavarian populations, the settlements strongly developed.
Today it is a picturesque group of houses around the main church, whose Bell Tower stands out among the pointed roofs of the surrounding houses.
Sites of Interest:
- the Church of San Giorgio, in neo-Romanesque style, has submitted severe damage in the XIX century and has very ancient origins and features a XII century altar offered by the Bishop of Bressanone and during the restorations of 1964, foundations of an earlier Roman building were discovered;
- the XVI century Chapel of the Holy Cross and the adjoining Church entitled to St. George;
- the Church of San Zeno, built between the XII and XIII centuries, features still visible architectural elements in Romanesque style;
- the Church of St. Margaret, already mentioned in the XIV century, features a remarkable late XVI century Gothic triptych;
- the "Path of the Mills" and the "Road and the Sun" through Val Pusteria;
- the farm Flitschhof;
- the Earth Pyramids and the Biotype Pichner Moos;
- the so-called Witch's Stone (Hexenstein), a sculptured boulder of prehistoric times, located in the valley of Winnebach.