Meraner Land: holidays Rifiano Caines

Rifiano and Caines

Rifiano is located at the entrance to the Passiria Valley. It is a nice little village rich in history, located at 500 metres above sea level on the sunny slopes of this area. Immersed in scented fruit gardens and vineyards it really enjoys an enviable panoramic view. The village has about 1,160 inhabitants and provides a popular touristic destination during all seasons.

With regard to sports and leisure time you can definitely say that the offer in Rifiano is very varied. The offer stretches from tennis to numerous paths for enjoyable excursions, to fishing along the shores of the Passirio river. But that is not all: rafting, paragliding, horse riding in the nearby stable or cycling. A varied offer for holiday enjoyment in this enchanting village day after day.

Rifiano also presents a renowned place of pilgrimage in the Burgraviato region.
Do not forget to visit the Madonna Addolorata Santuary with the famous Cappella delle Grazie chapel. The church is very famous. It was planned by the architect Franz Delai and dates back to 1671. Worth being mentioned are the main altar, piece of art by Bartlem Grätl, the Compassion dating back to 1400 and the baptism font, which origins from the 12th Century.  According to a legend, one day a farmer saw light coming out of the Passirio river. When he went to the point together with others, they saw the image of Mary. The men then decided to build a chapel exactly on this spot and to dedicate it to the Virgin Mary.

However, after several incidents, a storm of birds showed them another direction where the chapel should be built. The chapel was then built in the churches cemetery, where it still is.  Inside you can admire various Gothic frescos dating back to the 16th Century, painted by Meister Wenzl, an artist from Merano.
Also worth being mentioned is the Via Crucis, a path leading to the Sanctuary. Along the path you can admire numerous paintings in coated bronze by the artist Guido Lezuo (1958).

The village is situated 595 metres above sea level and it is the smallest village in the whole of South Tyrol. This little village can be found at the entrance to the Passiria Valley in beautiful mountain landscape.
According to history the village was founded by a Christian missionary, San Corbiniano, who visited the area and remained impressed by the incredible fascination of nature. He was so in love with this area that he decided to remain forever.

The Saint Maurizio and Corbiniano parish church holds fascinating frescos and a meridian dating back to the middle of the 15th Century.

Caines represents an ideal starting point for excursions to the adjacent valleys and mountains in the Tessa Group Natural Park. Immersed in the pure and unspoiled nature you cannot help but succumb to the beautiful villages and the pure air.

We finally recommend an excursion along the Caines irrigation canal, the Kuenser Waal, which dates back to ancient times and has preserved its appeal and even its economic importance up to now.