Monte Santa Caterina: Ancient history and breathtaking views over Val Senales
Situated at an altitude of 1,245 metres, Monte Santa Caterina (Katharinaberg) is one of the most enchanting places in the entire Val Senales. The small village is perched on a panoramic rock spur at the entrance to the valley, where once stood the Schnalsburg Castle, from which the valley takes its name.
Today it is a place of peace and timeless beauty, where nature, history and spirituality blend together in a landscape that takes your breath away.
From rock to sky: The Parish Church
On the rock where Schnalsburg Castle once stood, the Carthusian monks in 1350 demolished the fortress and, about a century and a half later, in 1500, built the Parish Church of St. Catherine. Originally Romanesque in style, the church was enlarged in 1748, becoming both a spiritual and visual landmark for the entire valley.
Today, the church dominates the landscape, gracefully overlooking Val Senales, the Adige Valley and Castel Juval, the private residence of mountaineer Reinhold Messner, which houses one of his Messner Mountain Museums.
A balcony over the valley, in every season
The sunny and sheltered position gives Monte Santa Caterina a mild climate, perfect for hikes even in spring and late autumn. From here you can easily reach:
- The Merano High Mountain Trail, one of South Tyrol’s most panoramic routes
- The Texel Group Nature Park, with its peaks, alpine lakes and unique biodiversity
Every step is an immersion in unspoiled nature, accompanied by breathtaking views and restorative silence.
Monte Santa Caterina is a place suspended between earth and sky, where every view tells a story, every path invites discovery, and every sunset looks like a painting. Perfect for those seeking an authentic retreat with an infinite view.
