St. Michael: Culture, Markets and Unique Natural Phenomena

Historic architectural styles, lively markets and unusual natural phenomena make St. Michael a destination offering a variety of holiday experiences. Many old houses in the centre of San Michele are built in the Überetsch style and decorated with oriels, gables, double-arched windows and turrets. A farmers’ market takes place every week in the central Rathausplatz; buses stop at Bahnhofsplatz.

Culture, Townscape and History

The former parish church of St. Michael was first mentioned in documents in 1237. It has a Romanesque basic structure and Gothic elements dating from a renovation in the early 16th century; the former parish church and its tower are protected monuments. The Gleif Church was built from 1716 onwards and marks the end of the Eppan Passion Trail. The Church of St. Joseph, also known as the Dominican Church, was built between 1883 and 1886.

Around two decades ago, a cultural centre was established in the restored Lanserhaus in San Michele Appiano. The permanent archaeological exhibition at the Lanserhaus presents the settlement history of Eppan from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. The historic cellar of the St. Michael-Eppan winery was completely renovated and equipped with 50 large oak barrels.

Markets, Music and Regional Impressions

In July and August, the recurring “Long Wednesdays” transform the centre of St. Michael every Wednesday evening from 19:00 to 23:00 into a lively promenade with shops, restaurants, music and culinary offerings. The Eppan Advent Christmas market takes place in St. Michael, offering mulled wine, handmade treasures and atmospheric music.

Nature Around St. Michael

At the Ice Holes, the physical principle of the wind tunnel explains this unusual climatic phenomenon; the cold air in the depression has a temperature between 0 and 9 degrees Celsius. The Ice Holes are located at an altitude of around 500 metres between the municipalities of Eppan and Kaltern, at the foot of Gandberg, in a depression measuring 200 metres in length and 50 metres in width. Near the centre of the village lies the 100-hectare Montiggler Wald protected landscape area with several bathing lakes.

Trails for Active Holidays

The trail to the Ice Holes leads through forests and vineyards and past a medieval castle. A tour along the Edith Stein Trail begins at St. Michael Parish Church, takes around four hours and includes 470 metres of elevation gain. The challenging route from St. Michael to Perdonig and Gaid is very popular with cyclists and mountain bikers. The different details regarding duration, elevation gain and difficulty help you compare the preferred focus when planning your holiday days.

When looking for a holiday apartment in St. Michael, you can therefore decide in advance whether you would like to focus on historic buildings and settlement history, distinctive landscapes with lakes or challenging trails. This allows you to derive your preferred holiday focus from specific themes: culture, nature, markets or physical activity.

Further destinations: Puster Valley, Riscone, Astfeld, Pfelders, Verschneid, Burggrafenamt, San Leonardo, Weitental

To the higher-level travel overview: Bolzano.