Hofergut, South Tyrol: Time That Remains
Even if we live to be a hundred – a human life remains a fleeting moment. For a house that has stood for centuries, it is little more than a breath in the passage of time.
First mentioned in 1085
The Hofergut in Bruneck, South Tyrol, was first mentioned in historical records in the year 1085 AD. That makes it well over a thousand years old. The house has witnessed around 50 generations. What stories these walls could tell if they could speak! As a so-called Houve-Hof, the “Hofer” estate was one of the oldest agricultural units in the region. It was entrusted with administrative duties, served as the seat of justice for the Lords of Rischon, and was the location of the regional court of St. Michelburg.
Witness to history
The Hofergut must have often borne witness to verdicts being passed and seals being pressed onto important documents. How many commands, confessions, oaths, or prayers have echoed through these walls? How many people have passed through its pointed arch doorway – with determination, with joy, or in reverence? And how many secrets do the rooms still hold, carefully guarded in the spirit of the house?
New spirit in old walls
One secret we are allowed to reveal: today, the Hofergut is a guesthouse. With great care, the listed building has been renovated. The history remains, while a new spirit has been invited in. The apartments and suites are the result of this harmonious blend. And throughout the house, the past is still present: in the old stuben that invite guests to plan and dream, in the blackened smoke kitchen offering regional culinary delights, or when walking through the characterful entrance door.
Those who travel to the Hofergut don’t just arrive at a place of breathtaking natural beauty, but also at a place of permanence. The quiet strength of the house leaves its mark on those who stay here. One’s sense of time begins to shift. Suddenly, it’s no longer about haste – but about feeling how good it is when something endures, and how much strength there is in becoming part of something greater.
