Coming over the Brennerpass mountain pass, the route to Italy and the Mediterranean has always led through the Eisacktal Valley. The valley is named after the Eisack River, which is surrounded by rugged mountains – the Dolomites to the east, and the Sarntal Alps to the west. However, the first signs of being in Southern Europe can be seen here as well. Chestnut trees and vineyards dominate the landscape. The Eisacktal Valley is today the northernmost winegrowing region in Italy. Grapes are cultivated here on 440 narrow hectares, rising to an elevation of 850 meters above sea level. In addition, there are fruit orchards, and at an even higher elevation also livestock farms.
The Eisacktal Valley is one of South Tyrol's most beautiful hiking areas, and is well-known internationally for its traditional harvest feast, the so-called Törggelen (derived from the Latin word for winepress). Local places that are especially worth seeing are the Kloster Säben and Kloster Neustift monasteries, the old city of the episcopal seat of Bressanone/Brixen, and the small town of Chiusa/Klausen, where the artist Albrecht Dürer stayed during his sojourn in Italy.
