1. Die Steinmühle
Die Steinmühle wurde 1303 als Getreidemühle von den Zisterziensermönchen aus dem Kloster Zinn erbaut und von diesen betrieben. Bis 1766 wurde die Mühle als Getreidemühle genutzt, bis der damalige Mühlenmeister eine Genehmigung zur Anlegung einer Schneidemühle (Sägewerk) erhielt.
1845 wurde sie wieder abgerissen und danach als Ölmühle wiederaufgebaut. Ende 19. Jahrhunderts wurde auf Dampfkraft erweitert und die Mühle zur Strohpapierstoff-Fabrik umgebaut. Sie wurde auch weiter als Dampfmühle genutzt. 1918 firmiert die Mühle als „G. Thiele Steinmühle“. Inhaber war Emil Gericke, der Schwiegersohn von G.Thiele. 1934 wurde die Dampfmaschine durch einen Motor ersetzt und die Mühle vergrößert.
Abandoned positions on Monte Piana
Monte Piana is a 2,324 m high mountain in the Sesto Dolomites, on the border between South Tyrol and the Italian province of Belluno, north of Lake Misurina. The plateau mountain still carries the north summit called Monte Piano (2305 m). The isolated mountain shows an overwhelming 360 degree panorama of the Drei Zinnen in the east, the Cristallo group, the Cadini group and the Dürrenstein. The Misurina Lake and the Dürrensee can also be seen from above.
During the First World War, the mountain was fiercely contested between Austrians and Italians. The northern summit, Monte Piano, was occupied by the Austrians, the southern main summit by the Italians. On the plateau-like summit area, the fortifications, trenches and tunnels on both sides, some of which were only a few meters opposite, still bear witness to this today. 4,000 soldiers, Italians and Austrians, lost their lives here and found their final resting place at the Nasswand war cemetery. These can be viewed on a historical circular route laid out by the Association of Friends of the Dolomites from 1977 to 1982.
From the Höhlenstein parking lot, 12 km south of Toblach in the direction of Cortina, you can hike 950 meters in altitude or continue towards Lake Misurina. About 500 m before the lake there is a spur road to the left to Auronzo to the 3 Zinnen and after about 200 m at the Genzianella restaurant there are jeeps that will take you up and down in 15 minutes for € 13. We did this tour. When you arrive at the Bosi Hut, it's another 20 minutes uphill. Now you are on the southern plateau and first of all you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding Dolomite peaks. Then you can visit the signposted positions of the Italians. We were on the mountain on June 15, 2019. Unfortunately, many of the trenches were not accessible because there was still snow in them. Through a depression it goes to the Austrian north summit. Here you will pass the peace bell, which is mandatory to strike. You can also take a tour here. In the rear area there is also a via ferrata that you can go but don't have to go. The expanded Kaiserjäger tunnel, which was still full of snow when we visited, is also interesting. On the north summit you also have the best view of the 3 peaks.
