What is a „Knott“?
The Knottnkino ("Knott" means "rock" in South Tyrolean dialect) on the „Rotsteinkogel“ is one of the most beautiful vantage points in the Merano region. The view sweeps unhindered over the Etsch Valley with the Meran Basin to the Texel Group to the mountain peaks of Penegal, Gantkofel and Weißhorn. Since 2001, hikers can take a seat here in an airy „cinema“ and enjoy the constantly changing view. It is the millennium project of the South Tyrolean artist Franz Messner, who has created an artistic monument here.
Directed by nature
What you can see is: a wonderful nature film against a constantly changing weather backdrop. Passing clouds. Blue sky. Lush green valley floor. Silhouettes of three-thousand-metre peaks, framed by descending mist or illuminated by the warm rays of the sun. It was this unique spectacle of nature that inspired Franz Messner to start his cinema project over 20 years ago. In „his“ Knottnkino, people were supposed to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday life by becoming co-actors in the „film“ that was playing.
Knottnkino reloaded
In 2019, two years after Messner's death, his project was given a worthy continuation. His children, the architects Verena and David Messner, created three new open-air stages: one on the east side of the Rotsteinknott - the same rock on which the Knottnkino is located - and on two other "Knottn" in Vöran as a continuation of and addition to their father’s work. The striking and sparsely overgrown hilltops in the immediate vicinity seemed to be predestinated.
Installation no. 2 at the Rotsteinknott
On the east side of the Rotsteinknott, very close to the already existing Knottnkino by Franz Messner, a a bench with a backrest was carved out of the porphyry by circular cuts in the terrain. The wind rose engraved in the smoothly polished porphyry can also be found at this place. The wind rose is the work of the artist and designer Antoinette Bader and, with its filigree network of lines, aims to guide the eye to the field of tension between art and nature.
The most beautiful vantage point in Vöran
The „Beimsteinknott“, directly above Vöran, captivates with its spaciousness and magnificent view. The installation "Attimo" was realised according to the sketches of the late artist Franz Messner and consists of the arrangement of 5 chairlift seats directly on top of the red rock. The striking hilltop can be reached in about a 30-minute walk from Vöran and is an absolutely recommendable destination.
Light and shade
At „Timpflerknott“, the lowest of the three rocks, there is a calm, almost mystical atmosphere. Circular carvings in the rock transform the terrain in order to create a resting place. This is also where the sculpture of the wolf can be found, seemingly roaming randomly over the rocky outcrop. This work of art, which plays with light and shadow, bears the signature of the artist Michael Fliri.
The circular hike to the three rocks
The hiking experience is designed as a three-and-a-half-hour themed trail „Knottnkino³“, which connects the three red landmarks of Vöran or the four installations. It can be walked all year round and puts the village of Vöran in the centre of attention. The starting point of the hike is also easily accessible from the Etschtal valley with the cable car from Burgstall to Vöran.
Did you know? The Bolzano volcano did it!
The origin of the dark red crests of the “Rotstein”, “Beimstein” and “Timpflerknott” dates back millions of years, when the Tschögglberg formed by lava and ash rain. They are therefore the remains of an enormous volcanic event that formed the entire Bolzano basin and the wider surroundings 280 million years ago. This volcanic origin makes the three rock formations so special and unique. The mineral inclusions that were formed during this time can be wonderfully recognised especially in the roughly polished parts of the art installations.
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TIP: Lorenzinacht at the Knottnkino
Count the shooting stars under the open sky! In mid-August, when the shooting star density of the Perseids is at its greatest, the Knottnkino is an ideal vantage point. The low light pollution far away from settlements offers the best conditions for a successful shooting star hunt. With live music and in nice company, this is a real highlight for romantics and amateur astronomers!