History

Gudon – populated since 4000 years

Today’s picturesque holiday village of Gudon is mentioned for the first time in a document dated back to 950 AD. But Gudon in the Isarco Valley was populated already 2000 BC. Remains were found by South Tyrolean archeologists – during the construction of the Josef Telfner House, excavations at the village square and near Aichholz. These findings indicate the presence of Roman and Rhaetian inhabitants. Around the 6th century AD, the colonisation by the Bavarian settlers set in. They populated Gudon – as well as the Romans – and acquired farms and vineyards. 1027 the counties near Inn, Adige and Isarco were separated from the Duchy of Bavaria by German emperor Konrad II and given to the bishops of Bressanone and Trento as their property. The 13th century saw the partition of the old counties into smaller circuits, from 1220 on a high court was established which was the centre not only of jurisdiction, but also of the political administration of the region. These courts often remained a property of the same noble family for decades. In Gudon it was the turn of the Earls of Thun for 150 years, and from 1619 to 1828 the courts were subordinate to the Earls of Selva – Castel Forte.

A treasure chest for history lovers in the heart of South Tyrol an the World Natural Heritage Site of the Dolomites!

Winegrowing in South Tyrol

Findings of grape seed from the Iron Age near Stufles in Bressanone prove the presence of winegrowing culture in the Isarco Valley 3000 years ago. Today, South Tyrolean quality wines have a tradition of more than 20 years and an excellent reputation in Italy and abroad. A holiday in the Isarco Valley would not be complete without some fine wine tasting. Why not try some delicious wines in the sunny holiday village of Gudon?

Persecutions and witchcraft

In the 16th century, Gudon was very important as home of the High Court. Jakob Hutter, founder of the “Hutterer” family emigrated to North America, and his pregnant wife Katharina were imprisoned in the High Court of Gudon. The castle owner helped Katharina Hutterer to flee, meanwhile Jakob Hutter was burnt at the stake in front of the “Golden roof” in Innsbruck. According to legends and remains of stone, witches have been sentenced to death in Gudon as well. They were kept prisoners in the “Witchtower” and put to death at the “Richtbödele”. The noble families of the modern holiday village were the Lords of Gudon and, later, the Earls of Thun and Selva – Castel Forte, who ruled in the Isarco Valley.

Music

Gudon’s musical band has also an ancient tradition of delighting inhabitants and guests with their folk music during events all year round.