Kaltern or Caltare, or Chaltar, Chalter, Chaldar, Chalteren, Caldarum, Caldarium, Kalthari. All refer back to the Latin word caldarum- "copper kettle" (thus, Kaltern's coat of arms). Evidence that a settlement had already been established here at the time of the Romans. 1220 (wine from Kaltern mentioned) and 1273 (Kaltern named as a judical seat) are the first documented dates; around 1250 there is also reference to Kaltern's own unit of measure for wine, the " urna de Caldaro". 1681 is the date documented to show Kaltern was granted the right to hold a market.