Description of the attraction
Villabassa is a small town located in the heart of the popular ski resort Alta Pusteria and surrounded by the slopes of the Dolomites and vast forests. Due to its advantageous geographical location at an altitude of 1154 meters above sea level and a large number of sunny days throughout the year, Villabassa is considered an excellent place for recreation and vacation. By the way, it was Villabassa that was the first tourist village in the Alta Pusteria region - many celebrities rested here over the years.
Local attractions include the City Hall building located south of Piazza von Kurz. It once served as a residence for Lords Kurz Zoom Thurn, and later as a long-distance communication station and military barracks during the First World War. Since 1928, the building houses the City Hall. The building acquired its present appearance in the 19th century after the reconstruction initiated by the Kurz family. Today it stands out for its balcony with three Ionic columns and three pincers on the north facade.
Another attraction of Villabassa is the Wassermann House, which also served as the residence of the Kurz family from 1470 until the 18th century. Over the years, the building has been rebuilt several times. In 1895, the house was acquired by confectioner Johan Wassermann, who opened a café there, and in 1944 the building housed the collections of the Alta Pusteria Tourism Museum. Today in this museum you can get acquainted with the history of the emergence and development of tourism in the region. On the first and second floors, there are photographs of old shelters and inns. A separate room is dedicated to the history of mountaineering in Alta Pusteria. Here you can also learn about the construction of a railway line in the valley, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of tourism. By the way, the Wassermann House itself, with its impressive wood paneling, wall frescoes and antique furniture, is also noteworthy.
