On Kaiserweg between Atzwang and Kollmann

The Eisack Valley has always been a through valley. The valley narrows from Kollmann to Bolzano, and in earlier times this stretch of road was often impassable. Therefore, the diversions over the Ritten was preferred. The imperial tsars, on their way to the coronation in Rome, also took this ascent, hence the name Kaiserweg. At the beginning of the 14th century, the merchant Heinrich Kunter had a mule track built through the Eisack valley and was allowed to collect a toll in Kollmann. However, his descendants no longer maintained this path and so the diversions via the Ritten was taken. It was not until the end of the 15th century that a wider path was built through the Eisack valley. The Kollmann customs station was rebuilt and remained in operation until 1829. Two beautiful churches await us on the way: St. Andreas in Antlas and St. Verena above Rotwand, both built on panoramic hills. The Keschtnweg, now 90 km long, has also made a name for itself as a long-distance hiking trail; it