Schlüterhütte

The Schlüterhütte (Italian: Rifugio Genova) is a historic mountain hut and hospitality brand located at 2,306 metres above sea level in the Villnöß Valley in South Tyrol, Italy. Situated within the Puez-Geisler Nature Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, the hut has been welcoming hikers, climbers and mountain bikers since its construction in 1898. It was built by Dresden merchant Franz Schlüter and donated to the Dresden section of the German-Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV). After World War I, South Tyrol became part of Italy, and the hut was expropriated by the Italian state and assigned to the Genoa section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which gave rise to its Italian name, Rifugio Genova. Following World War II, the Brixen section of the CAI took over its management. Since 1 January 2011, the hut has been owned by the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol. The Schlüterhütte is open annually from mid-June to mid-October and offers traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, overnight accommodation in rooms and dormitories, and a sun terrace with panoramic views. It is currently run by hosts Marlene and Martin, who continue the long tradition of hospitality. The hut is a popular base for hikes to the Peitlerkofel, the Kreuzkofeljoch, the Günther-Messner-Steig and the Geisler group.

The Schlüterhütte was built in 1898 at the initiative of Dresden merchant Franz Schlüter and was handed over to the Dresden section of the German-Austrian Alpine Club (DÖAV) at its opening ceremony. In 1908, an annex was put into operation. After World War I, South Tyrol was annexed by Italy, and the hut was expropriated by the Italian state and assigned to the Genoa section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which is why it is also known as Rifugio Genova. After World War II, the Brixen section of the CAI took over the building and subsequently carried out several renovations. In 1999, together with 24 other expropriated mountain huts, the Schlüterhütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol; the concession for its management by the CAI expired at the end of 2010. Since 1 January 2011, the hut has been owned by the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol. Since 2015, the province has been supported in the administration of the hut (leasing to tenants, monitoring of management, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes, alongside public authorities, the AVS (Alpenverein Südtirol) and the CAI. A significant chapter began in 1964 when Anton and Katharina Messner took over the management of the hut. They dedicated themselves to the needs of mountaineers and hikers for 25 years. In 1990, they passed the hut on to their son Günther, who, together with his wife Marlene, continued to put the well-being of guests first. Günther devoted himself with great passion to the preservation and further development of the hut. Unfortunately, this work was interrupted by a serious illness, and he died in December 2007. Since 2008, Marlene, together with her brother-in-law Martin, has continued to run the hut with the same commitment and dedication. Both ensure that the Schlüterhütte remains a place where hikers and mountaineers feel welcome and where the tradition of hospitality is maintained. Today, the Schlüterhütte is not only a symbol of the beauty of the Dolomites but also of generations of family hospitality.

• 2015

  A parity commission including AVS and CAI is established to support the province in managing the hut.

• 2011

  Ownership officially transfers to the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol on 1 January.

• 2008

  Marlene and her brother-in-law Martin take over the management of the hut.

• 2007

  Günther Messner dies in December after a serious illness.

• 1999

  The hut passes into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol.

• 1990

  Günther Messner, son of Anton and Katharina, takes over the hut with his wife Marlene.

• 1964

  Anton and Katharina Messner take over the management of the hut.

• 1908

  An annex is put into operation.

• 1898

  Construction and opening of the Schlüterhütte, donated to the Dresden section of the DÖAV.

Traditional, family-run mountain hut offering authentic Alpine hospitality in the heart of the Dolomites.

• Overnight stays

  Rooms and dormitory beds at 2,306 m altitude.

• Traditional cuisine

  South Tyrolean dishes such as Kaiserschmarren, Speckknödel and Wildgulasch.

• Hiking and mountaineering base

  Access to Peitlerkofel, Kreuzkofeljoch, Günther-Messner-Steig and Geisler group.

1. 1Wanderurlaub Südtirol | Schlüterhütte in Villnöss - Dolomitenschlueterhuette.com
2. 2Geschichte der Schlüterhütte - Tradition und Gastfreundschaft in den Dolomitenschlueterhuette.com
3. 3Schlüterhütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
4. 4Schlüterhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org