1899 isn’t exactly yesterday, but the Gasthof Kohlern is definitely much older.
The two flat ridges on the Bolzano side interrupt the steep slope between the summit of Titschen (1616 m) and the base of the mountain at the outskirts of Bolzano (270 m), rising to about 1130 and 1190 meters. These areas had already been partially deforested for agricultural settlements; according to historical documents, the Sonnenburg Monastery in Val Pusteria, the lords of Niedertor and Forst, the Römer family of Maretsch, and the von Kuepach family played a role here. The scattered settlement belonged to the Malgrei Kampenn of the “Twelve Malgreien,” which formed an autonomous municipality alongside the city of Bolzano from 1850 until they were incorporated into the city in 1910. Since then, Bolzano has extended up to Titschen, reaching its highest point there.
As far back as memory serves, three large forest farms have existed on those two mountain ridges: on the eastern ridge stood and still stands the Pircherhof, which belonged to the Bolzano hospital until 1979 and was surrounded around 1777 by a church built in 1745 and three “summer residences” of noble Bolzano families, which is why this cluster of houses was commonly called “Herrenkohlern.” On the slightly lower western ridge were the Oberkoler and Unterkolerhof, which later took on their current names Klaus and Uhl, derived from the names of some owners, while the earlier name “Koler” was used for the entire settlement on both mountain ridges.
In 1870, the then-owner of Uhlenhof, lumber trader Josef Baumgartner, built a villa and a chapel in a stunning panoramic location next to the old farm buildings.
In 1899, fifty-three-year-old innkeeper Josef Staffler from the Gasthof “Zum Riesen” in Bolzano, who later invented the world’s first cable car, acquired the entire Uhlenhof property along with the surrounding pastures and forests.
The villa was transformed into a mountain inn!
That same year, after the world’s first cable car went into operation in 1908, the inn was enhanced by architects of the 1800s with two beautiful verandas.
The two World Wars led to a sharp decline that lasted until the post-war years, until Anton Schrott purchased the inn from the cable car company in 1965 and reopened it on June 29, 1966.
Since 1965, the Schrott family has been committed to preserving this noble building. The house has been subtly and faithfully restored to its original style. Architect Zeno Bampi has infused modern life into the nostalgic envelope without violating its authentic originality. Wood dominates the verandas and the ancient stube. Antique furniture complements marble bathrooms, but above all, it harmonizes with the tranquility and serenity of this protected area.
NEW: the infinity pool, sauna area, and Kohlern Alpin-Spa: wellness can only be truly experienced where nature sets the rhythm!
Enjoy a wellness holiday in South Tyrol, on Bolzano’s home mountain, at Gasthof Kohlern.