Schlernhaus

Schlernhaus (Italian: Rifugio Bolzano) is a historic mountain refuge on Monte Pez at 2,457 metres in the Schlern (Sciliar) massif of the Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy. It is owned and operated by the Bolzano section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) and is a well-known destination for hikers exploring the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. The hut is reachable only on foot, with supplies delivered by material cable car and, when needed, helicopter. The original hut, the Santnerhanshütte, was completed and opened in 1885 by Hans Santner, the first ascensionist and namesake of the Santnerspitze. It offered a kitchen, two dormitories and an outbuilding for riding animals, porters and mountain guides, accommodating about 50 people. In 1896 Christl Masoner, an innkeeper from Völs, built the Masonerhaus next to it for his guests, and in 1897 the DÖAV Bolzano section enlarged the Santnerhanshütte with a much larger building, so that three huts stood on the Schlern — hence the plural name Schlernhäuser. In 1903 the Masonerhaus was sold to the DÖAV, and by 1908 the Schlernhaus was completed with final additions including a dining room. The hut was closed in 1914 because of World War I; in 1918 the Bolzano section left the DÖAV and became the Alpenverein Bozen, which continued to manage it. In 1923 fascist Italy dissolved the Alpenverein Bozen, and in 1924 the refuge passed to the CAI Bolzano section, which later modernised it, adding a special cable lift and a wastewater treatment plant. Today the Schlernhaus offers 110 sleeping places: 30 beds in single and double rooms and 80 dormitory beds in rooms of varying size, from three-bed rooms to a 14-place dormitory. Linen is washed daily and air-dried on a line in front of the hut. The hut has simple, cosy parlours and a wood stove; in winter a small heated room is available. It has been run by the Gasser family since 1976. The menu and booking are handled through the official website, schlernhaus.it.

The Schlernhaus story begins in the late 19th century, when alpine tourism was still in its infancy on the Schlern. While luxury hotels were being built elsewhere for the "new tourists", the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV) showed no interest in building on the Schlern. Hans Santner, first ascensionist and namesake of the Santnerspitze, wanted only a simple climbers' hut, with no "touristic" ambitions. His Santnerhanshütte, the first Schlernhaus, was completed and opened in 1885: one kitchen, two dormitories, and an outbuilding for riding animals, porters and mountain guides. In total it accommodated 50 people. Meanwhile, guests of the noble society stayed at the Völser Kreuzwirt Christl Masoner. In 1896 he built the Masonerhaus on the Schlern for his guests, right next to the simple Santnerhanshütte. The following year, the Bolzano section of the DÖAV enlarged the Santnerhanshütte with a much larger building. Now there were three mountain huts, and people spoke — and still speak — of the Schlernhäuser (plural). In 1903 the Masonerhaus was sold to the DÖAV due to disputes and for health reasons; from the proceeds Christl Masoner bought his wife a farm in Völs. In 1908 the DÖAV was finally able to complete the Schlernhaus with the last additions, such as the dining room. Already in 1914 the refuge had to be closed because of World War I. When the Bolzano section separated from the DÖAV in 1918, the Alpenverein Bozen was born and continued to manage the hut. Only five years later, in 1923, fascist Italy dissolved the Alpenverein Bozen, and the following year its entire property — including the refuge — passed to the CAI Bolzano section. The CAI later modernised the hut, equipping it with a special cable lift and a wastewater treatment plant. The refuge has been a destination for hikers for more than a century. Since 1976 it has been managed by the Gasser family. Today it offers 110 sleeping places, a mix of private rooms and dormitories, and retains its rustic character with simple, cosy parlours and a wood stove; in winter a small heated room is available. Supplies continue to arrive by material cable car and, when needed, helicopter, as there is no access road.

• 1976

  Gasser family begins managing the refuge.

• 1924

  Refuge passes to the CAI Bolzano section after expropriation.

• 1923

  Fascist Italy dissolves the Alpenverein Bozen.

• 1918

  Bolzano section separates from DÖAV; Alpenverein Bozen formed and continues to manage the hut.

• 1914

  Refuge closed because of World War I.

• 1908

  Schlernhaus completed with final additions including the dining room.

• 1903

  Masonerhaus sold to the DÖAV.

• 1897

  DÖAV Bolzano section enlarges the Santnerhanshütte with a much larger building; three huts now stand on the Schlern.

• 1896

  Christl Masoner builds the Masonerhaus next to the Santnerhanshütte.

• 1885

  Santnerhanshütte, the first Schlernhaus, completed and opened by Hans Santner.

Rustic, authentic mountain hut experience on a symbolic South Tyrolean peak, accessible only on foot.

• Overnight stays: 110 sleeping places (30 beds in single/double rooms, 80 dormitory beds)

• Alpine meals and drinks (menu available on website)

• Winter heated room with wood stove

1. 1Schlernhaus: Wanderung auf den Schlernschlernhaus.it
2. 2Dolomitenhütte mit bewegter Geschichteschlernhaus.it
3. 3Schlernhaus - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Refuge Bolzano - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org