50 years Schlern-Rosengarten nature park

The Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park was founded in 1974, making it the oldest nature park in South Tyrol. The park, together with the regional conservation area of the Seiser Alm, forms a single natural landscape. Covering an area of over 7,288 hectares, the nature park in the western Dolomites provides insight into a fascinating habitat with scenic beauty, geomorphological and geological significance and unique flora and fauna with around 790 flowers and fern plants. The Schlern massif, with the rocky tower of the Santner and the Euringer, is the emblem mountain of South Tyrol. The Schlern, together with the Rosengarten massif with its countless towers, are famed far beyond the borders of the Dolomites. And on the legendary mountain of the Rosengarten, the “Enrosadira” can be seen in all its majesty at sunset, when the Dolomites glow pink under the rays of the evening sun.

In order to preserve these special features for future generations, the Schlern area was the first nature park in South Tyrol to be placed under protection on 16.09.1974. The nature park, which was expanded in 2003 to include the Rosengarten area, is also part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 protected area and, as part of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.

• The first nature park in South Tyrol
• Inaugurated: 16.09.1974
• Expansion to include the Rosengarten massif: 14.09.2003
• Area: 7.288 ha
• Nature park municipalities:
  Kastelruth: 6.483 residents; surface area 11.781 hectares, park area 2.313 hectares.
  Völs am Schlern: 3.469 residents; surface area 4.438 hectares, park area 1.955 hectares.
  Tiers am Rosengarten: 975 residents; surface area 4.209 hectares, park area 3.023 hectares.
• Visitor center Nature Park Schlern-Rosengarten: Seis am Schlern, Oswald von Wolkenstein square 6
• Infopoints: Steger Sawmill in Tiers and Infopoin Völser Weiher lake

The visitor centre in Seis am Schlern delights visitors with impressive panoramic pictures, films and interactive models. The exhibition provides information about the geological uniqueness of the area, the formation of the Dolomites and the journey of the Schlern massif from the equator to its current location as well as the unique features of flora and fauna in South Tyrol’s oldest nature park with an elevation difference of 2,156m.

The Infopoint of the Nature Parc in Tiers am Rosengarten displays interesting facts about the protected area as well as the unique technology of the water-powered saw. In addition to the infopoint in Tiers, another information centre at the Völser Weiher lake has been set up. Visitors can obtain, right in the parking lot, key information concerning the pond area’s flora and fauna, the fauna of the pond’s reed beds, and the fish species that inhabit the pond.

For half a century, the people of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park have been working tirelessly to preserve the unique beauty of this natural and cultural landscape, and to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience this breathtaking region. The nature park is a place of peace and relaxation and, at the same time, a living testimony to the importance of nature conservation and sustainable development.

This anniversary is both an occasion to celebrate, and the ideal moment to reflect on the future of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. Protecting this invaluable natural and cultural heritage, and preserving it intact for future generations to enjoy, is a responsibility that belongs to all of us.