Rifugio Monzoni (Rifugio Taramelli)

Rifugio Monzoni – "Torquato Taramelli", commonly called Rifugio Monzoni or Rifugio Taramelli (German: Monzonihütte), is a mountain hut of the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT) in the Italian Dolomites. It stands at 2,045 m above sea level in the Valle dei Monzoni, a side valley of the Val di Fassa within the municipality of San Giovanni di Fassa, Province of Trentino. The hut is surrounded by the Monzoni-Vallaccia Group, a subgroup of the Marmolada group, which is geologically notable for its intrusive monzonite rock rather than sedimentary dolomite. The hut was conceived in 1902, when SAT decided to build accommodation for a group of geologists visiting the geologically interesting area in connection with the international geologists' congress held in Vienna in 1903. It was inaugurated on 9 August 1904 in the presence of the geologist and university professor Torquato Taramelli, after whom it is named. Before World War I it was a popular destination for geologists and researchers. During the war it stood just behind the Austro-Hungarian front line and housed Austro-Hungarian command posts and a small field hospital. It survived both world wars relatively undamaged and after 1945 was operated for a time by the Science Museum of Trento. In 1961 it was entrusted to SUSAT, the university section of SAT, which still operates it today. The building retains its original cube-shaped appearance typical of many SAT huts built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and its interiors were extensively renovated between 1994 and 1996. Today the hut offers bar, restaurant and overnight accommodation services, as described on its official website. It is a base for hikers and climbers in the Monzoni-Vallaccia area, with access from Malga Crocefisso and connections to neighbouring huts such as Rifugio Passo Le Selle, Rifugio Vallaccia, Rifugio Contrin and Bivacco Zeni, as well as summit routes to Cima di Costabella, Cima di Malinverno, Punta della Valacia and Sasso delle Undici.

The construction of a hut in the Monzoni Group dates back to 1902, when the Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT) decided to build accommodation for a group of geologists who wanted to visit this geologically very interesting area in connection with the international geologists' congress held in Vienna in 1903. Unlike the usual practice in such cases, where the building land was donated, the land had to be bought expensively because of an Austria-friendly official in Pozza di Fassa, which until the end of World War I was part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy; the official did not want to simply hand over municipal land to the SAT, which was known to be Italian-friendly. On 9 August 1904 the hut was inaugurated in the presence of the well-known geologist and university professor Torquato Taramelli, who had taken part as a volunteer in Garibaldi's ranks at the Battle of Bezzecca in 1866, was an honorary member of SAT, and after whom the hut was named. Until World War I it was a popular destination for geologists and researchers conducting their studies in the Monzoni-Vallaccia Group. During the war it lay immediately behind the Austro-Hungarian front line running between Costabella and Punta Alochet, which was repeatedly the target of Italian attacks, especially in 1915 and 1916. During this time the hut housed Austro-Hungarian command posts and a small field hospital. Nevertheless, the hut survived both World War I and World War II relatively undamaged and after 1945 was operated for some time by the Science Museum of Trento. In 1961 it was entrusted to SUSAT (Sezione Universitaria della SAT), the university section of SAT, which still operates it today. It still has its original cube-shaped appearance, characteristic of many SAT huts built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1994 and 1996 the interiors were extensively renovated. Access is from Malga Crocefisso, 1,522 m, via the valley road to Malga Monzoni and then trail 603 (1 hour 15 minutes). Neighbouring huts and crossings include Rifugio Passo Le Selle – Bergvagabundenhütte, 2,530 m, on trail 604 in 1 hour 35 minutes; Rifugio Vallaccia, 2,250 m, on trails 603b and 624 in 1 hour 30 minutes; Rifugio Contrin, 2,016 m, on trails 603 and 608 in 2 hours 45 minutes; to Moena, 1,184 m, on trails 624, 616 and 620 in 3 hours; and to Bivacco Zeni, 2,100 m, in 2 hours 30 minutes. Summit ascents include Cima di Costabella, 2,762 m, in 4 hours 30 minutes; Cima di Malinverno, 2,637 m, in 2 hours 30 minutes; Punta della Valacia, 2,637 m, in 2 hours; and Sasso delle Undici, 2,517 m, in 2 hours.

• 1994

  Extensive renovation of the interiors begins, lasting until 1996.

• 1961

  Hut entrusted to SUSAT, the university section of SAT, which still operates it.

• 1945

  After World War II the hut is operated for a time by the Science Museum of Trento.

• 1915

  During World War I the hut stands just behind the Austro-Hungarian front line and houses command posts and a small field hospital.

• 1904

  Hut inaugurated on 9 August in the presence of geologist Torquato Taramelli, after whom it is named.

• 1902

  SAT decides to build a hut in the Monzoni Group for geologists attending the 1903 Vienna congress.

Historic, association-run alpine hut offering food, drink and lodging to hikers and climbers in the Monzoni-Vallaccia area of the Dolomites.

• Bar service

• Restaurant / cucina

• Overnight accommodation (pernottamento)

1. 1home - Rifugio Taramelli Dolomiti – bar, cucina e pernottamentorifugiotaramelli.it
2. 2Rifugio Monzoniwikidata.org
3. 3Rifugio Monzonide.wikipedia.org