Mountain giants and warlocks

Tiers am Rosengarten, our charming hometown, is widely recognised as a sought-after holiday destination. Its history, however, is somewhat less well known. The first documented mention of Tiers – then spelt “Tieres” – is in a note from the high diocese of Freising from approximately 1000 AD. It describes how Bavarian Count Otto, a member of the Rapoton family, transferred some property to Bishop Gottschalk of Freising. However, archaeological evidence of settlements reveals that this area was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age.

Nestled in the Val di Tires/Tierser Tal, a side valley of South Tyrol’s Valle Isarco/Eisacktal, Tiers is scenically situated next to the Catinaccio/Rosengarten mountains, from which its suffix “am Rosengarten” is derived. The fantastic view of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten is also one of the highlights of a holiday at the Cyprianerhof. There are a number of legends about the South Tyrolean mountains, which are still passed down through the generations. One of them mentions Tiers. It is said that a long time ago, there lived a warlock in Tiers who possessed a magic belt, which was scarlet with white stones. He had received it on Epiphany from twelve ghosts who illuminated the Catinaccio/Rosengarten with their fiery horses. The belt gave the warlock the strength of twelve men. He delighted in inflicting suffering on others. For instance, he destroyed the farmers’ grain during harvest time, threatening the local people with hardship and hunger. So, the men of Tiers decided to put an end to the warlock’s doings. They attacked him and managed to seize the magic belt. This made him a weak, old, and helpless man. A court sentenced him to death at the stake.

If you would like to learn more about our history, legends, and traditions, why not visit us in Tiers am Rosengarten? We look forward to seeing you!