The gateway to the plateau, where the cable car up to the Alpe di Siusi departs, at the foot of the Sciliar.
A short history
Siusi allo Sciliar, Seis am Schlern in German, sits at 998 metres on an open terrace facing the mountains. It is the gateway to the Alpe di Siusi: from here the cable car climbs to the great plateau, sparing cars the road that stays closed to traffic in summer.
The village grew around mountain tourism. Hotels, guesthouses and holiday homes were added to the old farming core. The sunny position and the view of the Sciliar have made Siusi a handy base for anyone heading up to the high meadows.
Above the village the mark of past centuries remains. On the Castelvecchio hill lie the ruins of an old castle, and the area keeps churches and chapels tied to the long farming history of the plateau.
The ruins of Castelvecchio, Hauenstein in German, date to the 12th century and stand in the woods at around 1,270 metres. The castle belonged to the poet and knight Oswald von Wolkenstein, who won full ownership of it in 1427. Here he composed the famous "Hauensteinlied", the song tied to this place. At the foot of the crag a theme trail now tells his story.
How to fit Siusi 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 Alpe di Siusi, the vast plateau of meadows and huts you reach by cable car from the village.
- The Sciliar and the Denti di Terrarossa, the massif that towers over Siusi with its unmistakable profile.
- The Castelvecchio hill with the ruins of the old castle and the streets of the centre, the starting point for the plateau.
How to get to Siusi allo Sciliar
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at the Bolzano Nord exit and carry on up the road that climbs to Siusi allo Sciliar. The nearest railway station is Ponte Gardena, on the Brenner line, linked to the village by regular buses. From Siusi the cable car then departs to reach the plateau.
When to go
Summer is the best time to take the cable car up to the plateau meadows and walk among the huts. In autumn the sunny hollow offers clear, quiet days. In winter Siusi is a handy starting point for the slopes and for snowshoe hikes.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get up to the Alpe di Siusi from Siusi?
From Siusi the cable car departs and takes you straight up to the plateau. It is the most convenient way, because the road up to the Alpe stays closed to traffic during peak hours in summer.
What is there to see in Siusi allo Sciliar?
The village is the gateway to the plateau: from here you climb to the meadows and huts of the Alpe di Siusi. The view of the Sciliar and the Castelvecchio hill with the castle ruins are worth a stop.
How do you get to Siusi allo Sciliar?
By car you leave the A22 at the Bolzano Nord exit and drive up the road towards the village. The nearest station is Ponte Gardena, linked to Siusi by regular buses, and from the village the cable car departs for the plateau.
When is the best time to go to Siusi?
Summer is ideal for the cable car and walks among the huts, autumn for the clear days in the sunny hollow. In winter Siusi is a handy base for the slopes and snowshoe hikes.
What are the Castelvecchio ruins in Siusi?
Castelvecchio, Hauenstein in German, is a 12th-century castle whose ruins stand in the woods above Siusi. It belonged to the poet Oswald von Wolkenstein, who composed the "Hauensteinlied" here. You reach it by a theme trail that tells his story.
Who was Oswald von Wolkenstein?
He was a poet and knight of the late Middle Ages, among the most important in the German language. He was tied to Castelvecchio, the castle above Siusi, which he came to own in 1427. A theme trail and the great equestrian Ride of the Sciliar villages are still dedicated to him.