Laives: Between Fertile Nature, Ancient History, and Living Culture
Just 8 km from Bolzano, surrounded by lush apple orchards and vineyards, lies Laives (German: Leifers), a lively and welcoming town in the Lower Adige Valley, situated at 260 meters above sea level. This flatland area, one of the widest in the region, has been renowned for centuries for the fertility of its soil and the abundance of its harvests ripened each year under the South Tyrolean sun.
An Agricultural and Strategic Past
Even in ancient times, despite the presence of marshes, the local nobles recognized Laives as an ideal place for cultivation thanks to its favorable climate and fertile soil. Its position — a natural passageway between North and South — also made it a strategic site for building fortifications and defensive castles.
Traces of this history can still be admired today:
- the Tinzelleiten Tower, near the hamlet of San Giacomo
- the Church of San Pietro, built on the site of the former Liechtenstein Castle
- the ruins of Laimburg and Leuchtenburg Castles, located near Vadena and easily reachable on day hikes.
A Land That Speaks of Faith
Those who love religious architecture and folk spirituality will find in Laives many churches and chapels that tell stories of faith and art through the centuries.
Not to be missed:
- the Peterköfele Chapel, dating back to the 1300s, perched on a scenic hill and now a popular site for pilgrimages and spiritual walks;
- the Parish Church of San Giacomo, built in medieval times;
- the Parish Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot and that of Saint Nicholas, which since 1787 has housed a copy of the Pietà of Pietralba, a beloved and venerated work;
- the Chapel of Saint Henry, located in the hamlet of La Costa, built between the 18th and 19th centuries — simple and intimate, like the villages of the past.
Laives Today: A Vibrant, Dynamic Community
In recent years, Laives has also stood out for its vivid cultural and social development. The credit goes to the many associations founded thanks to the residents’ commitment and their desire to strengthen community life.
Among the most notable:
- the Monti Pallidi Choir, performing in numerous concerts and celebrations
- the Filodrammatica Theatre Company, guardian of the local theatrical tradition
- the Don Bosco Center, offering activities for young people, adults, and seniors, as well as a lively community library
Laives is a destination to discover for those seeking authentic landscapes, folk faith, historical heritage, and the warmth of a close-knit, evolving community. Just steps from the city, yet deeply rooted in the land, it’s the perfect place to experience South Tyrol at its most genuine and welcoming.
