In the north of the municipal area of Tisens/Tesimo in the fraction of Naraun/Narano rises the hill of St. Hippolyt, visible from far away. Its
easy accessibility and unobstructed panoramic view make it one of the top excursion destinations between Merano and Bolzano.
After an easy hike, the visitor is offered a
breathtaking panorama that stretches from the peaks of the Texelgruppe high above Merano far down to Bolzano and over the low mountain range of Tisens. Due to this St. Hippolyt is also called "the royal lodge of the Burgraviate".
Due to its exposed position the hill of St. Hippolyt was already visited by people in the Neolithic Age, i.e. in the 4th millennium BC, and is thus
one of the oldest settlement sites in South Tyrol. Numerous archaeological finds such as arrowheads, knives and garment clasps bear witness to settlement also during the Bronze and Iron Ages. On the porphyry rocks, which were rounded off by glaciers, there are also numerous depressions, such as stairs and so-called shell stones, which provide information about the life and cults of the former inhabitants.
On the hill of St. Hippolytus there was also most probably the
Lombard fort of Tesana, which according to Paulus Diaconus was taken and destroyed by the Franks in 590 and from which nearby Tisens takes its name.
With the advent of Christianity, a church was built at the top of the broad hill, the
St. Hippolyt church, which was first mentioned in 1288 but is probably older. Its present appearance dates back to reconstruction work in the Gothic and Baroque periods. Due to its exposed location, there were some fatal accidents during thunderstorms caused by lightning strikes, which is why the little church was also given the nickname "Zum bösen Segen" ("To the evil blessing").
Since 2020, there is once again an
inn on the hill that spoils visitors with food and drink. The
cosy seating also invites you to linger and makes the hill of St. Hippolyt in Naraun a
worthwhile destination for the whole family, but also for sportsmen and people who are looking for something special away from the noise of the world and want to recharge their batteries through the special atmosphere of the place.