Known as the "Homeland of horses" but also which one “Sunny terrace of Merano". Nicknames that already give us an idea of some peculiarities of the territory. Lying above the Merano basin among the green pastures surrounded by the Alpine peaks. Here Avelengo rises. A locality whose picturesque landscape it is ideal for spring relaxation getaways. But which certainly does not lose its charm even in the harsh winter months. Nature is the host accompanied by the ingenuity of modern man and past times. Features that make us fully enjoy this little but precious mountain village.
The homeland of Haflinger horses
Blond, strong and rustic dominate the plateau. Just horses? Not really. Their presence on the territory has a history, it cheers the eye and favors possibilities. It will not be a coincidence if the representation of this animal appears on the municipal coat of arms next to a conifer. But what is so special about them?
An integral part of the territory, they have a robust body softened by a golden mane. The first example with this appearance was Folie, the stallion born in 1874 from a local mare and an Arab father. A fusion of characters that led to the birth of a new species, deliberately maintained and improved over time. In the Haflinger horses, the man of the past immediately found advantages. The corpulence of the body saw these animals employed for some time in work activities.
A breed therefore initially of draft or of burden. Today, things have changed considerably. The beauty of the animal, the honey-colored tones of its coat make it an essential element of the landscape. And so there is no shortage of riding schools that organize carriage rides and rides in the saddle. I horses Haflingers have achieved over time the status of "local beauties". With their charm they are in fact attracting curious tourists.
At the court of Avelengo
The dominant character of Avelengo is certainly the natural connotation. Suggestive at the beginning of autumn with orange touches that warm the landscape. Admirable in spring with those greens and wide valleys that give rest to the eye. Meadows and coniferous forests. All from a privileged position. Thanks to its 1300 meters above sea level in Avelengo di Sopra it is possible to enjoy the whole view of the peaks of the Texel Group. Here, at the highest point of the municipality, they are scattered here and there few residential settlements completely immersed in the quiet.
But there is also a “lower” Avelengo, the one that constitutes the center of the village. Where there are significant traces of the past. The church of San Giovanni, the Gothic tabernacle between the Locherweg streets and the Nusser farm but not only. From this point a naturalistic itinerary also begins, the one that leads up to Sulfner pond. A body of water to visit in the warm season when white waterlilies, rushes, frog grass and other plant species are an ornament. But Avelengo does not end here. It should in fact be remembered that the municipality includes several localities. In addition to the aforementioned distinctions between Avelengo di Sopra and Avelengo Paese, other hamlets are part of the same territory. Santa Caterina is one of them. A small town that preserves a significant gem from a historical and artistic point of view.
Between history and legend
It is the famous Romanesque church dedicated to Santa Caterina, whose history is lost in legend. In fact, it is said that an angry giant tried one day to destroy it by throwing a huge boulder. Traces of the large stone still remain today in a meadow just below the church. But Santa Caterina is not the only "lady" at the court of Avelengo. Also Moar Wiese, Pivigna, Falzeben I'm part of it. Here you go up even more, between 1600 and 2000 meters. At such an altitude it can only find a home there ski resort, that of Falzeben with Merano 2000. Popular locations even in the summer thanks to the presence of hiking trails for mountain bikers. It is a small court; Avelengo the queen around which symbolically revolve those "ladies" who contribute to her beauty.
