A quiet village at the foot of the Sciliar, known for its bathing lake and its hay baths.
A short history
Fiè allo Sciliar, Völs am Schlern in German, sits at 880 metres at the entrance to the plateau, at the foot of the Sciliar. It is the lowest of the three villages and the most tucked away, set among woods, meadows and farmsteads scattered on the slopes.
Its name is tied to the Fiè pond, a small bathing lake among the woods, a summer draw for those seeking cool air. Just above the village castles and ruins survive that tell the feudal history of the area, among them the Roman House and the remains of old fortifications.
Fiè is also known for its hay baths, an old farming practice turned into a wellness treatment. The fragrant grass of the high meadows, harvested and left to ferment, is used in the village's spas as a relaxing treatment.
The Fiè pond, Völser Weiher in German, was created in the 16th century as a fishpond by baron Leonhard Colonna von Völs. Today fishing is no longer allowed and part of the water is protected as a biotope. On one shore there is a Kneipp path, with basins for walking in the cold water.
Fiè also has a darker side to its history. At Castel Presule, above the village, between 1506 and 1510 the witch trials were held: about nine women from the Sciliar plateau were accused of witchcraft and condemned. At the castle entrance a monument commissioned by the municipality now remembers those victims of ignorance.
How to fit Fiè allo Sciliar into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Fiè pond, a bathing lake among the woods, with the castles and ruins that surround it.
- The Sciliar and the Denti di Terrarossa, the massif that towers over the village and gives the area its name.
- The village centre with its houses and the hay bath spas, an old local farming tradition.
Around Fiè allo Sciliar
The highest peaks, within 9 km
- Monte Pez2,568 m5.6 km
- Monte Castello2,516 m5.5 km
- Cranzes2,465 m7.3 km
- Sciliar2,448 m4.5 km
The nearest lakes
- Laghetto di Fiè1,050 m1.7 km
- Laghetto Gflierer1,015 m1.7 km
- Laghetto Huber1,080 m2.0 km
- Aichner Weiher1,058 m2.6 km
The nearest road passes
- Passo Nigra1,690 m9.4 km
- Passo Pinei1,437 m11.5 km
- Passo di Costalunga1,745 m15.0 km
Straight-line distances from the village. Elevations and names from OpenStreetMap, with peaks checked against the terrain model. See the area on the map of the Dolomites.
How to get to Fiè allo Sciliar
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at the Bolzano Nord exit and drive up the road towards Fiè allo Sciliar, at the entrance to the plateau. The nearest railway station is Ponte Gardena, on the Brenner line, linked to the village by regular buses. From Bolzano there are coaches reaching the centre.
When to go
Summer is the best time, when the Fiè pond becomes swimmable and the trails towards the Sciliar are at their peak. In autumn the woods change colour and the village stays quiet. In winter Fiè is a tucked-away base for walks in the snow and relaxing hay baths.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Fiè allo Sciliar?
The Fiè pond, swimmable and ringed by woods, the castles and ruins of the area and the Sciliar that towers over the village. Fiè is also famous for its hay baths, an old local farming practice.
What are the hay baths of Fiè?
They are a treatment born from farming tradition: the fragrant grass of the high meadows is harvested and left to ferment, then used for relaxation. Fiè is one of the historic homes of this practice.
How do you get to Fiè allo Sciliar?
By car you leave the A22 at the Bolzano Nord exit and drive up towards the village, at the entrance to the plateau. The nearest station is Ponte Gardena, linked to Fiè by regular buses, and coaches run from Bolzano to the centre.
When should you go to Fiè allo Sciliar?
Summer is the best time for the bathing lake and the trails towards the Sciliar. Autumn brings colourful woods and quiet, while in winter the village is a tucked-away base for the snow and hay baths.
What is the Fiè pond?
It is a small bathing lake in the woods at the foot of the Sciliar, the Völser Weiher in German. It was created in the 16th century as a fishpond by baron Colonna von Völs. Today fishing is no longer allowed and part of the lake is protected as a biotope. There is also a Kneipp path on one shore.
Were there witch trials in Fiè?
Yes. At Castel Presule, above Fiè, between 1506 and 1510 two trials were held in which about nine women from the Sciliar plateau were accused of witchcraft and condemned. At the castle entrance a monument commissioned by the municipality now remembers those victims.
Which lakes are near Fiè allo Sciliar?
As the crow flies, the nearest are: Laghetto di Fiè (1.7 km, 1,050 m); Laghetto Gflierer (1.7 km, 1,015 m); Laghetto Huber (2.0 km, 1,080 m); Aichner Weiher (2.6 km, 1,058 m). By road or on foot the distance is longer, often much longer.