Laas Marble Tour – Waldner Tour
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"Marmaros", a shimmering, radiant boulder: this is how the ancient Greeks described the white stone from which they created magnificent temples and impressive sculptures. This white gold – born from the depths of the primeval seas to the peaks of the Alps – continues to fascinate us today just as it did in the past.
Discover the many faces of Lasa marble – whether in the form of a venerable Roman milestone, as a small, expressive detail on the magnificent Romanesque apse of Lasa parish church, or as an impressive sculpture created through sculptural skill and a love of stone.
Immerse yourself in the history of the stone, from the adventurous beginnings of systematic quarrying, through its heyday as the stone of kings and emperors, right up to today’s modern marble processing.
A unique cultural experience in Vinschgau for over fifteen years. With passion and thoroughly researched expertise, the marble tour guides you to South Tyrol’s finest natural stone.
Franz Waldner
- Former Director of the "Johannes Steinhäuser" Vocational School for Stoneworking, Laas
- Author of "Laaser Marmor. Südtirols edelster Naturstein" (Laas Marble: South Tyrol’s Finest Natural Stone), Athesia
- Founder of the Laas Marble Tour
Accessibility
By the accessible Vinschgerbahn railway: Travel to Laas station; from there, it is about a 500-metre walk to the local Kulturhaus/Josefshaus in the town centre, where the marble tour begins.
By car: From Bolzano, take the MeBo motorway to Merano and continue towards the Reschen Pass until you reach Laas. In the town centre, turn right behind the Raiffeisenkasse and park after about 200 m in the public car park in front of the Kulturhaus/Josefshaus (2 reserved parking spaces).
Description
To view the route, please click on the map shown above: The meeting point for the marble tour is the Josefshaus (Cultural Centre) in Laas, where we will be introduced to the world of marble through a large-screen slide show.
Through unique historical photographs, we will experience the history of marble and its heyday as the stone of kings and emperors, and the images will take us up to the heart of the quarries, at altitudes of 1,500m to 2,250m on the Jennwand massif. Afterwards, we will take an art-historical stroll through the marble village of Laas and visit, among other things, the parish church of St. John with its unique Romanesque circular apse made of marble.
At the renowned Mayr sculpture workshop, we will have the opportunity to experience the art of marble craftsmanship up close and watch the stonemasons at work. Finally, we will visit the Laas Marble Works, where Laas marble is industrially processed into slabs and shipped all over the world.
Total duration: approx. 2.5 hours (can be shortened if required).
The Marble Tour is also suitable for older people and visitors with disabilities, as the sights along the route are not far apart.
Last updated: January 2017
Information about the walk
Suitable for:
Everyone, including senior citizens and visitors in wheelchairs
Road surface:
Asphalt, natural stone paving, lawn with stone slabs
Bars/Restaurants:
Gasthaus zur Krone
Public transport:
Vinschgau Railway
WC:
Josefshaus (cultural centre), Gasthaus zur Krone, Laas Cemetery (not wheelchair accessible)
Sun/Shade:
A very sunny footpath
