Meraner Land: Lagundo

Lagundo

Lagundo is a small town to the West of Merano, located at the slopes of the Tessa Group Natural Park. Thanks to its sunny position the town enjoys a very mild and comfortable climate, which allows the growing of vegetation under particularly favourable conditions. The town offers a typically Mediterranean flora and numerous fruit gardens provide the surroundings with a rural flair. This typically Mediterranean landscape is enriched by the alpine peaks surrounding this area, which provide the town with incomparable contrast and beauty.

Those who love nature and hikes will find their true paradise in Lagundo. With its alpine lakes, rivers and more than 160 km of paths, this area has something to offer for all tastes. Enjoy varied excursions from easy walks in the scenery of the beautiful Waalweg (link), an ancient irrigation canal (picture) or demanding hikes along the paths of the Tessa Group.

There are also numerous sporting offers in this area: thanks to the large number of rivers in this area you can enjoy rafting or canoeing, and also more relaxing sports like golf, tennis, cycling or horse riding.
Lagundo has lots to offer also from a cultural point of view. You can admire the beautiful frescos of the Maria Steinach Convent, a church in Gothic style dating back to the 13th Century, which was built upon the orders of Countess Adelaide, daughter of Count Albert of Tyrol. The parish church in Lagundo, which was built at the beginning of the 70’is, is too of incomparable beauty. According to many people this is the most beautiful ecclesiastic construction in the entire area, an elegant expression of contemporary art. At this point we can go back in time, back to prehistoric times, when four “menhirs” were found in this area. They are marble monuments the size of a man, vertically affixed to the ground and undoubtedly constructed for cultural reasons.

And of course we also recommend a visit to the famous Forst brewery, where the local Forst beer is brewed. The brewery was founded in 1957 by the Merano families of J.Wallnofer and F.Tappeiner. Thanks to the favourable conditions of the place, the company was located in Foresta, a fraction of Lagundo, where it is still located. Foresta means Forst in German and this is were the beer got its name from.