The history of
the Alte Mühle
A lot of water has flowed into the Aurino River since the foundation stone was laid for the house at the bridge. But you can still sense the stories that have taken place in the Alte Mühle over the course of its history. And they are definitely worth telling. This house in the St. Moritzen district, close to the little church and just a stone's throw away from the castle. It has always been a popular place to go in and out. Long before tourism was “invented” in the 1930s. If you look closely, you will find all kinds of treasures from the past in the house. And if you like, Sepp and Beatrice will be happy to tell you one of the many little stories about the hotel. Take a look at the chronicle of the Alte Mühle with us:
1815 - The mill rattles…
A marvellous grain mill stands on the babbling Aurino River – no one knows exactly how long it has been there. People from all over the valley came here to have their grain ground. Johann Jungmann, the great great grandfather of your hostess Beatrice, bought the mill and quickly sets up a business and sold flour as well as baked goods. You can see the old flour lift in our show kitchen and we still have the drive of the old grain mill in the wine cellar.
1878
Scourge of the water
Situated right on the Aurino River almost becomes a disaster. It almost falls victim to a huge mudslide that makes its way through the natural riverbed and devastates half the village. Bruggenmüller and his followers managed to stop the Aurino River and protect the village from further catastrophes.
1889
Reverend and the library
Josef Andreas Jungmann was born one year before the beginning of the new century. The inquisitive, pious young man soon found himself drawn out into the wide world. To Bressanone, Innsbruck, Vienna and Munich. He becames a Jesuit priest and strived to ensure that “ordinary folk” also understood what the parish priest preached at mass. Josef Andreas will go far. He even becames rector of the University of Innsbruck. If you want to follow in the footsteps of the priest, all you have to do is wander through our house. Or go to the library, which is now named after our famous ancestor.
1898
The mayor’s office
Now, Josef Jungmann, Johann’s grandson, is at work. Bruggenmüller, as everyone calls him, is a respected man. Not just because he’s an experienced businessman. He steered the village’s fortunes as mayor until 1925, and the old mill became his office for a while.
1930
Visitors arrive!
While guests from all around the world have long been swarming to other places, Valle Aurina is still a sleepy patch of earth. The mountains, the good clean air and the friendly locals slowly but surely enticed the first guests to Campo Tures. The Jungmanns seized their chance and started to expand. The first set of guests moved into simple quarters in an extension of the old mill.
1968
The miller’s frustration
The post-war years of the economic miracle and progress took their toll. The tiny village mill could no longer keep up with the big companies. With a heavy heart, the Jungmanns decided to close down their mill. But inventive and enterprising as the people of Valle Aurina are, they now focused solely on their guests. And when they came, the children had to move into the attic. The little ones had lots of fun listening to the conversations of the guests. How funny these visitors were! It was a pity that they didn't always fully understand the local dialect.
1974
Aunt Helene cooks
Cooking is what she always wanted to do. She cooks so well, that her food became known far beyond Aurina valley. Aunt Helene had big plans. And a big dream. She dreamt of having a restaurant of her own. And modern guest rooms. Luckily, Aunt Helene really could cook that well and the Hotel Alte Mühle soon opens its doors.
1992
Ah, love!
When and where exactly Sepp and Beatrice fell in love remains their sweet secret. This much can be revealed: It’s hard for a girl from the city to resist the charms of a boy from South Tyrol. He was a particularly dashing fellow, that Sepp Wolfsgruber. And he has a bit of a wild side, too. Always “on the move”, as they say here, and preferably with Hans Kammerlander and his buddies in the mountains of this world. So Beatrice is drawn back to where her roots are: the Alte Mühle in Campo Tures. She will never let go of her love for her hometown of Florence. But her soul is at home here in Valle Aurina.
1994
Experience Valle Aurina in the flesh
The time has come. Sepp and Beatrice took the helm. Like Aunt Helene and many of their ancestors in the past, they also have a dream. They want to share the good fortune of living here in Valle Aurina with guests. They are the new hosts of the Alte Mühle. They make the Alte Mühle a holiday home for everyone who wants to experience the true Valle Aurina with a lot of love for detail, for the land and the people, with respect for tradition and the courage to try something new. With all its wonderful nature. The many enchanting customs. And a charming conviviality that can only be found here. Between the Aurino River and the castle. Where the old mill once rattled.