from 220 €
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier
Sport & wellness resort | St. Martin in Passeiertal
s
from 141 €
LANERHOF Relax & Active Retreat
Spa-Hotel | St. Lorenzen at Mt. Kronplatz
s
from 90 €
Hotel Saltauserhof
Wellness hotel | St. Martin in Passeier
from 74 €
Hotel Pider
Bikehotel | Wengen in Alta Badia
s
from 122 €
Majestic – Unique Spa Resort
Wellness hotel | Reischach at Mt. Kronplatz
s
from 144 €
Hotel Sand
Hiking - biking hotel | Kastelbell-Tschars
from 110 €
Grand Hotel Bellevue
City hotel | Meran
from 125 €
Hotel Waldhof
Vitalpina Hotel | Rablà near Meran
from 70 €
Alpwellhotel Burggräfler
Wellness hotel | Tisens near Meran
from 141 €
Vitalpina Hotel Schulerhof
Active hotel | Plaus near Meran
from 230 €
Alpenpalace Spa Retreat
Exclusive well-being oasis | St. Johann in Tauferer Ahrntal

Mountain warfare

Since the Middle Ages, the Dolomites formed a natural border between Austria and Italy. After Italy’s entry into the war together with England, France and Russia in 1915, this line became a fiercely defended mountain front during the First World War.

With the Italian declaration of war against the Austro-Hungarian forces, a sad chapter in the history of the Dolomites had begun: The area surrounding the Three Peaks has become a battleground, with the “Kaiserjäger” soldiers on the Austrian side against the “Alpini” on the Italian side, fighting for each metre under the toughest conditions.

Gruelling static warfare

The soldiers on both sides excavated miles long tunnels and galleries in the Dolomites mountains, built temporary emplacements and cableway stations, trenches and caverns. Supply up high in the mountains was difficult and in winter, the soldiers often had to wait for weeks without getting supplies, in their trenches on Mt. Paternkofel, on Mt. Lagazuoi or on Marmolata, without obtaining supplies.

The static warfare lasted almost four years and had a fatal ending for many soldiers on both sides. In fact, around 8,00o soldiers only died on Col di Lana, whose peak was burst. During the mountain war, more soldiers died of hunger and cold, avalanches and rockfalls than from hostile projectiles. 1,259 soldiers are buried in the cemetery of Nasswand, 6 km south of Toblach towards Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is under monumental protection.

Against oblivion

The open-air museum on Sextner Rotwand (part of the Bellum Aquilarum) as well as on Monte Piana above Lake Dürrensee still offer remains of emplacements and tunnels reminding us about the war’s horror and deprivations. Also, hikers and mountaineers will find many proofs of the First World War in the Dolomites.

After the end of the war, many borders in Europe had changed and South Tyrol was annexed by Italy. The project Dolomites without borders emphasise not only the separating part but also the connecting aspect between Italy and Austria. The high-alpine path with 12 fixed-rope routes goes from Cadore, to Hochpustertal in the area f the Three Peaks to the Tyrolean Gailtal valley. As a transregional peace trail, it is an alpine challenge with memorable historical background.

Current holiday offers

from 100 €
Hotel Tirolerhof

Welcome to Tirolerhof. The perfect place for your active holidays – hiking, cycling and relaxing. Directly at Mt. Kronplatz in Gsies Valley.

To the hotel
from 166 €
MIRABELL DOLOMITES HOTEL

Enjoy a special 5 * feel-good time in the heart of Pustertal & unique nature experiences at Mt. Kronplatz in the Dolomites.

To the hotel
from 168 €
SOLVIE Calm Inspiring Getaway

An inspiring panoramic getaway for lovers of peace.

To the hotel
from 190 €
WINKLER 5-Star Design Hotel

Breathtaking views and a dreamlike spa area are waiting for you!

To the hotel

Images

Three Peaks - Dolomites
Three Peaks - Dolomites

The impressive mountains are located in the Sexten Dolomites and are a very famous photo spot.

Internet Consulting - Stefan Tolpeit
War in the Dolomites
War in the Dolomites

Plätzwiese pasture in Prags is only one of the spots of the cruel mountain war in the Dolomites between 1915 and 1917.

hagenvontroja #31171700

History

Selected accommodations in Sexten

Sustainability SVG
Berghotel Sexten - Sexten in Hochpustertal

Berghotel Sexten

Sexten in Hochpustertal
4.9 Excellent
17 Recommendations
  • Sustainable
  • Regional
  • Organic
  • Healthy
  • Fair
from 123 € per day
Memorise
Family Resort Rainer - Sexten in Hochpustertal

Family Resort Rainer

Sexten in Hochpustertal
4.8 Excellent
12 Recommendations
  • Family resort in the heart of the Dolomites
  • Dolomit Panorama Spa of 2,000 sq m with swimming pools and saunas
  • Indoor and outdoor Raini's World for children
  • Excellent cuisine with attention to children
  • Possibility of excursions and skiing directly organised by the resort
from 101 € per day
Memorise
Caravan Park Sexten - Sexten in Hochpustertal

Caravan Park Sexten

Sexten in Hochpustertal
4.4 Very good
5 Recommendations

5-star camping in the Dolomites, nature-oriented and flexible luxury holiday in the resort with pitches, tree houses, lodges and hotel, wellness area & climbing hall, gourmet restaurants & tavern.

from 20.5 € per day
Memorise
Service