The community of Chienes-Kiens, including the villages of Masi-Hofern, S. Sigismondo-St. Sigmund, Casteldarne-Ehrenburg, and village of Chienes itself, spaciously extends across the landscape consisting of gentle meadows and hills densely covered with conifers. Since every location has its own very personal contemporary witnesses, those who want to experience them all will need to move around a little.
A cozy hike leads to Casteldarne, a village of a thousand inhabitants that got its name from its highlight, Casteldarne-Ehrenburg Castle, which solemnly towers up over its hill. Those who arrive in the tranquil village of Masi will encounter Schöneck Castle, the birthplace of the troubadour Oswald von Wolkenstein.
In order to spend some time at the admirable edifices and then to continue our tour, we then hike to S. Sigismondo, where the parish church with the late Gothic appearance also tells an old tale. The winged altar is of importance that ranges beyond the region, as it is the oldest completely preserved carved altar in all of Tyrol.
As far as festivals and festivities are concerned, the culture is always very present in Chienes – in the form of traditional costumes, village bands, and hearty rustic food. Whoever wants to live on the sunny side of life, or at least the sunny side of the Val Pusteria-Pustertal valley, has every reason to celebrate, so in Chienes it’s three cheers for tradition!
During the church festivals in St. Sigmund/S. Sigismondo, Hofern/Corti and Kiens/Chienes, the mannequin "Michl" is hung up and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charity. He only gets to watch the merry, boisterous hustle and bustle from above. But he’s usually holding a bottle in his hand, and not just out of thirst!
In the middle of the mountains, in the midst of greenery, close to the shimmering Laghetto d’Issengo-Issinger Weiher, thousands of colorful herbs spread their scent over broad, carefully tended expanses. At Bergila, top-quality products are made from local herbs from the mountains and meadows, and pine oil is also distilled. Ointments and tinctures, teas and natural cosmetics, essential oils and schnapps – all of it is made from inspected organic cultivation.
But this is only one of the producers of local products in Chienes.
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