Terento introduction
General Information
Terento is in the South Tyrol region of the Italian Alps and is in Val Pusteria. Because it is famous for its sunshine all year long, Terento has the nickname of Sunny Village. The resort is at an elevation of 1,200 meters or about 3,900 feet and is on a plateau. There are fitness centers and sports centers available all year long. Many farmsteads are dispersed throughout the valley, thus making the landscape quite distinct. In addition, there is a nature trail that goes to the old corn mills where visitors can still see corn being grounded. It is inhabited by 1600 people and provides for around 1300 accommodations for tourists.
Winter Activities
There is skiing and snowboarding for all levels of experience and Terento is part of the Dolomiti Superski Ski area and the Kronplatz ski resort. There is a free shuttle to the Kronplatz resort. For those who want lessons, there is a ski school which trains both skiers and snowboarders. For ice skaters, there is both a natural ice rink and an artificial one. There are plenty of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking. At night, there is skiing as well as toboggan runs which are floodlit. Paragliding is also available. With sun shining from 8 am to 4 pm, skiing in winter is a great experience here in Terento. Thermal baths are available in nearby Merano which is South Tyrol’s second largest town. Many concerts and festivals take place in South Tyrol all year long.
Summer Activities
Terento has two sand courts and so can field soccer, volleyball, bocca, crazy golf, and giant chess. With swimming pools and Lake Issinger Weiher nearby, there are indoor, outdoor, and lake swimming. From May to October there are guided tours through Val Pusteria and through the Dolomites for both hiking and mountain biking. Horseback-riding and Nordic walking are also popular. A number of easy walks and hikes will take the visitor to farms up in the hills where the visitor can see how things are done in the traditional manner. Fishing and paragliding can also be enjoyed.
Other Information
Terento is first mentioned in history around the year 1000 and it has grown since. Since 1976 it has had its own newspaper which is published quarterly. It has several churches from the 12th through the early 14th centuries. There also a number of museums with bus, rail, and cable car service between them. One of the legends in the area concerns the witch’s stone, which is a cup marked stone. Story told by the inhabitants of the valley is that witches danced and drank with the devil on the stone and left footprints on it. Also, according to the story, some of the first Christians broke the stone to end the pagan rite.