A new way to experience the splendor of the Rose Garden
with the "invisible" mountain station designed by architect Werner Tscholl
Exploring the Lake Carezza Plateau without a car with six mountain lifts
Since 2022, six mountain lifts in the Rosengarten area have been operating during the summer season, offering a variety of ways to explore the area without using a private car. In addition to the Welschnofen gondola lift, the König Laurin 1 and 2 gondola lifts with their “invisible” mountain station at the Kölner Hütte, and the Paolina and Tschein panoramic chairlifts, the Tiers Cabrio Cable Car has complemented the summer lift network since 2022. It connects Tiers with the plateau beneath the Rosengarten, providing an additional starting point for hiking and mountain experiences.
The mountain lift connections make it possible to explore the plateau without using a private car. From Welschnofen, for example, visitors can take the gondola lift, continue with the König Laurin gondola to the intermediate station and then take the Tschein chairlift to the Moseralm. From there, Lake Carezza can be reached in just a few minutes on foot via a hiking trail. The mountain lifts can also be combined with hiking and cycling routes to create a variety of tours around the Rosengarten and Lake Carezza.
The "invisible" König Laurin mountain station
Those wishing to head higher up can continue from the intermediate station with the König Laurin gondola lift to the Cologne hut at an altitude of 2,337 metres. Here, visitors encounter an extraordinary architectural solution designed by renowned South Tyrolean architect Werner Tscholl, who was responsible for the “invisible” mountain station.
The mountain station is not visible as a stand-alone architectural structure. The only visible elements are the entrance and exit portals through which the gondolas enter and leave the underground station, as well as the access tunnel for hikers, all integrated into the mountainside.
Inspired by the legend of King Laurin, Werner Tscholl, named Italy’s Architect of the Year in 2016, designed the station as the underground Crystal Palace of King Laurin. According to the legend, King Laurin ruled over a people of dwarfs who searched the mountains for precious stones and valuable ores. His kingdom was hidden in an underground palace made of sparkling rock crystal.
Rosengarten Pass
With the Rosengarten Pass, guests can use the mountain lifts included in the pass in the Rosengarten area for one day. The gondola lifts and chairlifts can be combined with a variety of hiking and mountain bike routes through the Dolomites.
Concrete measures for responsible mountain lift operations
The responsible use of resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions have been important topics for Carezza Dolomites for many years. Emissions associated with mountain lift operations are regularly calculated, and targeted measures are implemented based on the results.
These include the use of electricity sourced 100% from renewable energy sources and the use of HVO fuel for piste grooming. Consumption data is also collected for snowmaking and piste management, while technical processes are continuously monitored and optimised.
At destination level, projects are also implemented together with stakeholders from tourism, agriculture, crafts and trade to support regional value chains and the responsible use of resources. One example is the collaboration between local producers and restaurants, through which regional products are featured on the menus of participating establishments.
A reusable glass bottle has also been developed for mountain huts, offering guests an alternative to single-use bottles.
Mobility also plays an important role. The combination of public transport, mountain lifts, hiking trails and cycling routes offers a variety of ways to explore the area around the Rosengarten and Lake Carezza without using a private car.
“Our aim is to continuously develop mobility options in the Rosengarten area and offer guests attractive ways to experience the plateau without using their own car,” emphasises Florian Eisath, CEO of Carezza Dolomites.
Contact and additional information:
Carezza Dolomites - Karerseestrasse 21/a - 39056 Welschnofen / Nova Levante
carezza.it - marketing@carezza.it - phone: +39 0471 614139
@carezzadolomites #mycarezza
*(source: Bruno Mahlknecht, Südtiroler Sagen, Bolzano / Bozen, 1981. pg. 121. Freely take from K. F. Wolff, König Laurin und sein Rosengarten, Bolzano / Bozen 1945 and Dolomiten-Sagen, Innsbruck, 1977)
**Mission as stated in the minutes of "Living and implementing sustainability" by the Terra Institute, Paolo Agnelli and Elisabeth Präauer
