Ancient art

Wood carving

In South Tyrol, wooden artefacts have been created for centuries; particularly statues of saints, manger figurines and masks. A visit of one of the workshops and shops is worthwhile because they provide an insight into this traditional South Tyrolean craftwork.

Slipper (Patschen) production

The production of “patschen” (South Tyrolean slippers”) is an ancient handicraft, which nowadays only a few people master. Skilful hands, silence and patience are indispensable to create a pair of Patschen in a day out of felt and thread. Despite the great demand for these lovingly fabricated felt-slippers, this traditional handicraft is condemned to vanish, because only few people are willing to learn the art of patschen-making.

Tatting

Tatting is a traditional handicraft, by which laces are being produced with the use of spindle-shaped and mostly wooden bobbins to which a thread is being connected.

Weaving

Weaving is one of the most ancient handicrafts of mankind. Already during the Neolithic Area, primitive hand looms have been known. They were used to produce textiles of wool, flax and bast fibres for the first time. In Tyrol, weaving mills, which provided a second income for the farmers, were very common. While the spinning of the wool was carried out at home, the yarning was often done by travelling craftspeople.