The importance of the forest and nature takes center stage at the Lahnersäge Visitor Center in Santa Gertrude, Val d'Ultimo Valley. The facility, one of the visitor centers of the Stelvio National Park, stands near an archaeological site and houses a centuries-old Venetian sawmill. The processes that transform a log into a finished wooden board are illustrated during a cutting demonstration using the ancient, restored saw.
Near the sawmill, there is also an historic outdoor mill, where visitors can look at the large waterwheel and discover the secrets of traditional grain milling. Inside the center, visitors can also explore the faithfully recreated habitats of the Stelvio National Park, highlighting the deep connection and life that thrives among the vegetation, animals and humans.
Rating: Satisfactory
The Lahnersäge Visitor Centre offers a limited accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility, which is concentrated in the main building. The ground floor (ticket office area, first part of the exhibition and accessible toilet) is step-free; the external access path has a slope with uneven stone slabs.
The first floor (special exhibitions and diorama hall) is accessible via a platform stairlift (with assistance from staff).
The outdoor areas feature unpaved paths made of natural ground (earth and grass) and allow visitors to view the mill wheel; however, the interior of the mill wheel is not accessible due to barriers. The historic power station is accessible, but has a bark mulch floor, which may make it difficult to navigate in wheelchairs and with pushchairs. The museum has an internal toilet with a grab rail, as well as a public toilet at the rear of the building (without grab rails).
Notes: The Lahnersäge visitor center features a sloped parking area with no designated accessible parking spaces, though it is equipped with a bus stop and charging stations for electric cars and bicycles. The access path leading to the entrance is inclined and paved with uneven natural stone slabs. To ease transit for wheelchair users or visitors with reduced mobility, it is highly recommended to stay on the adjacent asphalted road until just before reaching the entrance.
Private
Public
At cost
Covered car park
Characteristics access path
Lateral inclination < 3,5%
Present
Seating possibility & benches
Paving
- Asphalt / Concrete
Plates / Cubes rough
Notes: The main entrance (an access path with uneven stone slabs) leads to the ticket office area, which features an information desk, a disabled-accessible toilet and a children’s play area. From here, however, the start of the museum tour has steps. To get round this barrier, visitors with reduced mobility can enter the building from the outside via a gate, which staff will open if required and which provides direct access to the museum’s first exhibition room.
Door present
Door opens without effort
Door opens towards the outside
Sliding door
Automatic door
Door closer
Threshold present
Height of threshold in cm
Bell for requesting assistance
Manoeuvring space > 140x140 cm
Paving
- Plates / Cubes rough
Tiles / Marble
Notes: Located on the ground floor in the ticket counter area, the toilet is equipped with a fixed grab bar on the right side, while the approach on the left side is partially restricted by a metal cabinet. There is also a public restroom outside the museum.
WC suitable for the disabled marked with international symbol
Position of WC suitable for disabled
Door can be opened without effort
Width of door in cm
Door opens towards the outside / sliding door
Door closer
Threshold present
Manoeuvring area outside > 140 x 140 cm
Manoeuvring space with assistance - diameter > 100 cm
Grab handle
Approachable from side
Approachable from the front
Distance from back wall in cm
Height in cm
Warning bell in tangible distance
Accessible
Height in cm
Free space under washbasin in cm
Adjustable in height
Height of mirror in cm
Adjustable mirror
Notes: From the ticket counter, this first exhibition and multimedia area is accessed via a staircase. This can be avoided by entering from the outside through a small wooden gate that is opened by the museum staff.
On the same level as reception
Door present
Width of door in cm
Door opens towards outside / sliding door
Automatic door
Door closer
Threshold present
Threshold in cm
Manoeuvring space > 140 x 140 cm
Paving
- Plates / Cubes rough
Tiles / Marble
Notes: On the ground floor, access is via two steps leading directly into the covered structure of the historic Venetian water-powered sawmill. The area features wide wooden flooring and walkways that allow visitors to walk alongside the large, original machinery. This provides an up-close look at the conveyor rollers, the long log carriage, and the cutting system with its large vertical blade, while the outdoor rail system used for loading the logs is visible at the far end of the structure.
On the same level as reception
Minimum path width
Manoeuvring space > 140 x 140 cm
Notes: To reach the first floor and visit the exhibition, a platform lift suitable for wheelchair users is available. The lift cannot be operated independently: visitors must request assistance from the staff at the ticket counter, who hold the activation keys and will operate the system.
Height between 70 and 110 cm
Autonomous
With assistance
Electric drive
Wall fixed lifter
Notes: Directly accessible from the outside through a large wooden door, this room houses the historic Westinghouse generator with its transmission belts and the vintage wall-mounted control panel. The interior features a rustic flooring made of wood mulch, which may make transit difficult for wheelchairs and strollers.
On the same level as reception
Door present
Width of door in cm
Door opens towards outside / sliding door
Automatic door
Door closer
Threshold present
Manoeuvring space > 140 x 140 cm
Notes: The outdoor area surrounding the visitor center features spacious green lawns, gravel paths, and a large, elevated wooden flume for the water flow. In the meadow, visitors have access to a drinking water fountain and a picnic area equipped with wooden tables and benches. From this space, the large external waterwheel of the historic mill can be admired (not accessible to visitors with disabilities due to the outdoor steps and the indoor staircase).
On the same level as reception
Notes: Located at the back of the museum with direct access from the outside, this restroom features level access through the entrance and anteroom. There are no grab rails.
WC suitable for the disabled marked with international symbol
Position of WC suitable for disabled
Door can be opened without effort
Width of door in cm
Door opens towards the outside / sliding door
Door closer
Threshold present
Threshold in cm
Manoeuvring area outside > 140 x 140 cm
Grab handle
Approachable from side
Free space to approach WC from side in cm
Approachable from the front
Distance from back wall in cm
Height in cm
Warning bell in tangible distance
Accessible
Height in cm
Free space under washbasin in cm
Adjustable in height
Height of mirror in cm
