Egna/Neumarkt

Whoever drives by the Egna/Ora motorway exit heading south doesn’t know what they’re missing out on: Egna has to be one of the most beautiful locations in South Tyrol. Following an economic awakening of the market during the Renaissance when the coachmen needed a relay station every 30 km for their horses on the busy Brenner trade route, the location lost in significance after the invention of the train. The location wasn’t needed any longer for anything other than a train station for the Bolzano-Trento connection. The city become poorer, young people left, little was renovated. Yet Egna’s alleged poverty was also its greatest asset. During the 1980s, a ‘guardian of cultural heritage’ recognised the value of the neglected yet historical and unchanged city centre, and suggested the city council restore the entire centre by bringing the old style into our modern times.

It all occurred in a lavish and loving way, and so, today, Egna represents a vertiable gem thanks to its beautiful old homes and arches. In some inner courtyards you can actually find some original Renaissance frescoes. This makes Egna into a destination worth seeing when it comes to southern South Tyrol. The easy bike tour from Kaltern to Egna winds its way across orchards of the South Tyrolean ‘Unterland’ right into the traffic-free centre of Egna. Leave the hectic humdrum of our modern day and age and dive headfirst into the Middle Ages, enjoy the view of the beautiful old buildings, the much-needed shade provided by the arches and the mediaeval shopping area and treat yourself to a fabulous lunch in one of the many small restaurants. The small Andreas Hofer Museum or the Museum für Alltagskultur are also worth a visit. The Tyrolean national hero was transported to Mantova after being sentenced to death, and legend has it he slept in Egna. He was kept in the cellar of a house, where he impressed the importance of the following upon his guards: “You need to keep a close eye on me. If I get away, they’ll shoot you.”

Once you’ve seen your fill of beautiful views, continue biking on the Adige bike path towards Ora, and get ready to finish the last 180 m elevation gain to Kaltern - a last jolt of adrenaline and all the physical activity you need before heading for dinner in one of Kaltern’s nice restaurants.

Alternatives
- At path marking 17, continue on tour 2 Mitterberg or on one of the many other tours: 13 Cisloner Alm, 14 Kanzel, 20 Trudner Horn or 21 Jochgrimm.

(Photo credits: IDM Südtirol/Alex Filz)