The Knottnkino in Vöran
The open-air cinema on the high plateau of Hafling-Vöran-Meran 2000 in South Tyrol
The Knottnkino in Vöran
The Knottnkino in Vöran

The Knottnkino in Vöran

The open-air cinema on the high plateau of Hafling-Vöran-Meran 2000 in South Tyrol

The natural viewpoint "Knottnkino" with 30 cinema seats made of steel and wood is one of the top 10 highlights among the sights in South Tyrol. Between the villages of Hafling and Vöran there are several rock outcrops made of red porphyry. On one of them, the so-called Rotstein Knott, artist Franz Messner from Ritten above Bolzano has installed 30 handmade cinema seats, thus transforming the rock into an open-air cinema. The installation invites hikers to take a seat and enjoy the unique view as if in a nature cinema.

Open-air cinema between heaven and earth

From the Knottnkino you can overlook the entire Etsch valley and enjoy the overwhelming view from the mountain peaks of the Texelgruppe near Meran in the north to the Gantkofel, from the Penegal viewing platform and on to the Weißhorn in the south. No screen puts a picture in front of the viewer's eye, but the view into the distance is the film, which changes at every time of day and season.

What is a "Knott"?
"Knottn" means rocks in South Tyrolean dialect. Millions of years ago, when the Tschögglberg - the long ridge that stretches along the orographically left side of the Etsch River between Bolzano and Merano - was formed by lava and ash rain, these red, round knottn were formed. In Vöran there are three of them: the Rotstein, the Beimstein and the Timpfler Knott.

Knottnkino³

In 2019, architects Verena and David Messner - significantly, the children of the Knottnkino artist - have continued the Knottnkino project. These three "Knottn", with four viewing points are connected with the circular hiking trail "Knottnkino³" and can be discovered in an approximately four-hour hike. The three Knottn can also be reached individually in hikes with shorter walking times.
Hiking suggestions
«123» 7 items on 3 pages, displayed items 7-7

Photo tip: Sunset at the Knottnkino

If you are looking for the most beautiful photo spots in South Tyrol, the Knottnkino is the place to be. Although the place is worth seeing at any time of day, the Knottnkino is particularly charming at sunset. The special lighting mood gives the red rocks a magical glow in the evening light and immerses the place in a very special atmosphere.
Lorenzi night at the Knottnkino

Every year in August, a particularly large number of shooting stars flit across the night sky and so also across the Knottnkino in Vöran. This is the ideal place to look out for the "lucky charms". On the occasion of these Perseiden nights, the tourist association always organises the Lorenzinacht at the Knottnkino on a certain date. Bring a picnic blanket, listen to pleasant sounds and enjoy delicious snacks.
Also present are members of the South Tyrolean amateur astronomers "Max Valier", who have interesting things to say about the night sky and telescopes with them.
Book your holiday
Plan your dream vacation in Hafling, Vöran & Meran 2000 now!