Nauders is a municipality near the Reschenpass where three countries meet: Austria, Italy (South Tirol has belonged to Italy since 1919) and Switzerland.
Whilst elsewhere it is the stork who brings the babies, in Nauders newborns come from the “Holy Tree”. This is just one example of the many ancient myths and legends still told in this village near the Reschenpass connecting Austria and Italy. Nauders lies in a remote corner of Tirol, where guests who take the time to explore the valley on foot will find a magical mixture of lush high-alpine meadows and craggy peaks in a region with an eventful and turbulent history.
Since Roman times traders and travellers have used the high mountain passes between Austria and Italy on their journeys from north to south. One of the most important of these crossing points has always been the Reschenpass at 1,507m altitude. In fact, the municipality of Nauders actually covers three countries: Austria, Italy (since Austria lost control of South Tyrol in 1919) and Switzerland. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that Nauders has long been a popular stop for those journeying into the Swiss Engadin or the Vinschgau region of South Tyrol. To the north lies the Inntal Valley, where the Inn is still more a rushing stream than a mighty river. Smuggling, which used to be one of the main sources of income in this region, has today been replaced by a flourishing tourism industry thanks to excellent cross-border infrastructure for hikers, skiers and cyclists.
Whilst elsewhere it is the stork who brings the babies, in Nauders newborns come from the “Holy Tree”. This is just one example of the…
