Fiè allo Sciliar, a spa resort in the Altipiano dello Sciliar
In addition to Siusi allo Sciliar and Castelrotto Fiè allo Sciliar is the biggest, most popular and most famous village in the Altipiano dello Sciliar. Fiè allo Sciliar is located at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi at an altitude of about 880 meters above the sea level and is divided from the imposing mountain Sciliar. From the village you can enjoy an excellent view to Siusi allo Sciliar and the mountain Santner. Since 2003 Fiè allo Sciliar is a spa resort.
Fiè allo Sciliar (in German: Völs am Schlern) was mentioned in a document dating from 1838. However, the place was inhabited much earlier. So they could made excavations and find out that the area was already settled to the middle stone age, called Mesolithic. Today they can say, that the area of Fiè allo Sciliar was continuously inhabited, because at this place there had been found various objects from the Roman era and other eras, such as coins, grain mills, etc.
The development of a health resort
In a handbook for travelers from the year 1838, which praised the Country Tyrol, the village at the foot of the Sciliar was already highlighted positive. Even today you can read in the handbook, that here were mainly the inhabitants of Bolzano, which came to Fiè allo Sciliar with its healing waters and the already known hay baths for relaxation in the summer month. The handbook is displayed in the new "Touriseum" in Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano. Already at the beginning of the 19th Century it was well known in the area of Fiè allo Sciliar, that the hay produced gives a special healing effect that enhances the physical and mental well-being.
The hay bath was discovered by the farmers as they took their camp for the night in a haystack after a heavy crop on the mountain pastures. After that night in the hay, the pain of the hard work was blown away in the morning.
Today a hay bath takes about half an hour. There you are in a tub filled with freshly cut hay. The healing effect is produced by the fermentation process of the grasses. During the hay bath a considerable heat is developed. With the hay are healed related rheumatic pain, stress symptoms, muscle pain and fatigue can be cured, of course under a strict medical supervision.
It is certain that the inhabitants of the Altipiano dello Sciliar and the residents that are nearby were able to appreciate the healing effect and use of the hay. The hay was only at the end of the 19th Century really popular. At this time the inhabitants of Fiè allo Sciliar had rebuilt their barns and accordingly created a possibility for a hay bath. In the village center you find the "Kreuzwirt" in the aftermath of the "Wenzerwirt" in former times who offered a professional hay bath. So it was logical that curative effect of hey bath has quickly known everywhere and also in the further area.
The history of the hay bath began in 1903
The official start of the history of the hay bath of Fiè allo Sciliar was in 1903. This year, the Merl-farmer and community leader Anton Kompatscher had opened a modern hay-bath-station that was already very advanced. A Beautification Association was opened at the same year; this had the aim to make the stay for the guests as pleasant as possible. For example, paths have been created, the plantings were intensified and benches placed in and around Fiè allo Sciliar.
The success of today's spa Fiè allo Sciliar can be shown impressive in figures. In the late 1950s there were still about 230 guests that had come to Fiè allo Sciliar and stay in twelve commercial establishments. Comparing to this figure there were already 12,200 overnight stays in 1960 and in 1970 73,000 nights. In the year 1980 were counted 172,200 overnight stays.
The success of Fiè allo Sciliar with its well-known hay baths the village in the Altipiano dello Sciliar was able to celebrate its 100th anniversary of tourism in 2003 and called the resort officially since this year. "Fiè allo Sciliar, the spa resort at the nature park" as it is officially calling will also be a popular spa and wellness resort in the future, that the guests around the world are welcome.
Culinary in Fiè allo Sciliar
Fiè allo Sciliar isn´t only famous for its healing hay. With the beginning of tourism people had been early learned that in the popular holiday and health resort that guests love the culinary.
After a bath in the hay, the guest usually went to breastfeed in the eating houses of Fiè allo Sciliar to savor dumplings and other culinary specialties. The well-known red wine, made in South Tyrol, is enjoyed often after a bowling evening.
Even today, visitors and tourists can rejoice in the South Tyrolean cuisine with many culinary delights.
The "Black Day" of Fiè allo Sciliar
Fiè allo Sciliar has - like Castelrotto - a "black day" in its past. The 05 March 1857 is negative reminded into the annals of the village. On this day, the place was visited with a disastrous fire. Twelve houses on 03/05/1857 were destroyed by the large village fire.
Fiè allo Sciliar and its surroundings
Fiè allo Sciliar has preserved its authenticity as a mountain village although the place has great success in tourism. So the place has still the charm of a medieval mountain village, which was once and still today dominated by agriculture.
The near Alpe di Siusi is the most important destination for holiday guests of Fiè allo Sciliar. But also the surrounding area of Fiè has a lot to offer for guests. So you can take a trip to the Lake of Fiè or, who would like to visit something historical, to the castel Presule which was built by Leonard the Elder.
By the way: In the past the holiday guests arrived to Fiè allo Sciliar in the summer especially in July and August of each year. Today, the village offers many highlights throughout the year, such as special weeks or cultural events. Thus invites its guests from far and wide.
Facts and Figures
The municipality Fiè allo Sciliar has 3,667 inhabitants (31/12/2023). Of these, nearly 3,700 residents have 94.92 percent German as their native language. 4.46 percent have Italian and a small share of 0.62 percent Ladin as their mother tongue. Ladin is the third national language which is spoken in South Tyrol.
The municipality Fiè allo Sciliar included the following 14 fractions (villages): Fiè di Sotto, Fiè di Sopra, San Constantino, San Antonio, Presule, San Caterina, Novale di Presule, Prato all'Isarco, Umes, Peterbühl, Novale di Fiè, Aicha di Sopra, Aicha di Sotto.
The municipality has a total area of 4,438 hectares and extends from an altitude of 315 meters above sea level (Prato all'Isarco) up to a height of 2,536 meters above sea level. The highest point of the municipality is located on the Monte Pez, at the highest point of the Sciliar.
Fiè allo Sciliar in South Tyrol in the Altipiano dello Sciliar has a municipal-partnership with Friedberg in Bavaria since 1964.
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