« Wedding Moods

Entering the medieval castle, decorated with medieval trunks and paintings of bourgeois ladies, the husband-to-be turns to see his bride entering through a thick wooden door with metal studs. After the ceremony, the couple in their vintage car head up the snaking, mountain paths, looking down on the turreted buildings below, which become smaller with each climb. The couple arrive at the medieval castle which balances on a cliff edge, looking out at the mountains ahead. The snow tipped mountains a paradox with the warm evening air. The couple lead their guests up to the castle door, taking high strides on the original, medieval stairs to reach the first floor. In the siderooms, little gastronomic treats tempt the guests into each room to marvel at the splendour of the castle structure and the flavours of the hors d’oeuvres, preparing the appetite for the banquet to follow.

The sit-down feast, traditional of the area, is accompanied by the local wine. Guests raise their glasses asking the happy couple to stand while a toast is made to them 'Bacio! Bacio!'. At night, as the couple leave, the walled path leading from the castle is lit by Roman torches, a salute to the newlyweds. As they head off, the winding road guides them to their accommodation, looking back, the castle disappears behind ridges. Eventually, only the soft glow of the torches is slightly visible, then, that too, is finally consumed by night. The moonlight  creates a silhouette of the mountain range, which has become the late-night companion of the couple as they sip cool champagne on the hotel’s terrace, holding hands while gazing at the night’s canvas.

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Combined cultures for that perfect wedding

The regions of Südtirol or Alto Adige are geographically, architecturally and culturally very different from many of the other regions within Italy. In fact, passing through the winding valleys feels like being in Switzerland or Austria. Its turbulent past has seen it conquered and reigned by the Romans, Germans, French, and Hungarians and Austrians. With this mix there are in fact two official languages in this area, German and Italian. Even though Italian is learnt at school the further north you travel the more common it is to find the locals communicating at home and with each other in an Austro-Bavarian dialect of German.

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Activities before and after the wedding day

For outdoor enthusiasts, this area is perfect all year round. In winter, skiing, tobogganing and  Nordic skiing are some of the activities tackled in the various resorts sprinkled throughout the region. The very brave focus on rocky heights assisted by ice picks, making their way along the craggy summits which are subjected to bitter, inhospitable weather.  The snow retreats to the peaks as spring approaches, and with its arrival are the migration of keen cyclists battling with cars along roads in town centres which then meander out onto lone, hilly roads. Their journey interrupted and welcomed by the odd agriturismo offering a hearty lunch and refreshment for the ravenous traveller.  In summer the paths that were once ravaged by ice and snow open up with the spring flowers to welcome nature lovers and keen walkers, ranging from leisurely trails for beginners, to complicated routes for the experienced twisting up the various mountains. With height brings a new perspective. From higher points looking out across the mountain ranges the older siblings are still wearing their winter caps, stubborn snow unwilling to surrender to the summer sun.

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Food in Alto Adige/Südtirol

In autumn the Törggelen is a celebration of the end of the harvesting of grapes. Paths lead from one farmer to the next through the evergreen pines, the browns, golds and reds of the season. Farmers leave their doors open to the visitor, welcoming them to savour the autumn flavours. Local specialities of chestnuts, sausages and bacon, barley soup, cranberries and poppy seeds all served with wine, the results of natures gift to the end of the autumn harvest.

Any time of year the dominating landscape belittles the visitor. The gigantic green mountains towering above the minute cars weaving through the valleys. Villages, castles and forts balanced precariously on ridges and cliffs. Streams cascading over mountain ridges can be visible from the road and the snow-capped mountains disappear into the clouds. During humid and wet periods vapour twists out of the forests and woods enticed towards the larger clouds.

From a castle or fort looking out onto the world below, cars the size of small animals weaving through the winding roads uncoiling upwards to once-important landmarks. From a flanking tower it is possible to imagine the power and strength felt by an armoured soldier looking down onto the world below. Many castles and hotels pay tribute to the medieval epoch furnishing rooms with weaponry such as spears and swords, and delicately decorated leather thrones worn at the edges by years of enjoyment. Large wooden chests, decorated with studs and carved with figures and shapes, were once gifts for a new bride, placed in her bridal suite in celebration of the marriage.

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Catching-up with the ancestors

In South Tyrol a local personality that receives thousands of visitors a year is Ötzi. 5300 years old this Iceman was preserved in a glacier and is still kept in a chilly refrigerator, not the type found at home but one that maintains his temperature at -6° Celsius. Not only did the glacier mummify his body but his clothes have also been preserved, a fashionable stone-age fur coat and a bearskin cap, all the rage at the time! This star of Alto Adige has given much insight into the weaponry and diet at that time.

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