Schwarzensteinhütte

The Schwarzensteinhütte (Italian: Rifugio al Sasso Nero) is a mountain hut in the South Tyrolean part of the main ridge of the Zillertal Alps, at 3,026 m above sea level. It is the highest hut in this mountain group. It lies in the municipality of Ahrntal, with the nearest valley settlement being St. Johann. First opened in 1895, the hut has an eventful history marked by changes of ownership, military use, and structural neglect. After being expropriated by the Italian state after World War I and later managed by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), it passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol in 1999. Due to its poor condition, the old hut was demolished in 2017 and replaced by a new, modern, energy-efficient building at a higher position, which opened in July 2018. The new hut offers six floors, sustainable energy supply via photovoltaic panels and a combined heat and power unit, and accommodation for guests. It is a popular starting point for summit tours in the region.

The Schwarzensteinhütte was first built by the Sektion Leipzig of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuÖAV), which decided on 25 May 1893 to construct a hut at 2,922 m. It opened two years later on 8 August 1895. After World War I, the hut was expropriated by the Italian state and used militarily for a time. It was then handed over to the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which initially administered it through its hut commission (C.C.R.A.A.) and from 1926 had it managed by the Sektion Vittorio Veneto; hence it received the name Rifugio Vittorio Veneto al Sasso Nero. Apart from minor modernizations, no major changes were made until its demolition. Damaged during World War II, the hut was again managed from 1973 after being under military control for some years from 1964. Together with 24 other expropriated huts, the Schwarzensteinhütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol in 1999; the CAI's concession to run it expired at the end of 2010. In 2011, the provincial government decided to demolish and rebuild the hut due to its poor structural condition. Since 2015, the province has been supported in managing the hut (leasing to tenants, monitoring operations, renovation measures) by a parity commission including the AVS and CAI. From 2016 to 2017, the new Schwarzensteinhütte was built to a design by architects Angelika Bachmann and Helmut Stifter at a higher position north of the old hut and south of the Tribbachsattel at 3,026 m. A material cable car was built from the forest road near the Kegelgasslalm to the construction site to ensure weather-independent supply and avoid reliance on helicopter transport. Due to the exposed location, construction was only possible in the summer half-year, so most of the building was erected with prefabricated wooden elements. The old hut was demolished in 2017 (a memorial plaque now stands in its place), and the new one opened in July 2018. The construction costs amounted to around 2.97 million euros.

• 2018

  New Schwarzensteinhütte opens in July.

• 2017

  Old hut demolished; new hut built.

• 2016

  Construction of the new hut begins.

• 2011

  Provincial government decides to demolish and rebuild the hut.

• 1999

  Ownership passes to the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol.

• 1973

  The hut is again managed after years of military control.

• 1926

  The hut is managed by the CAI Sektion Vittorio Veneto and renamed Rifugio Vittorio Veneto al Sasso Nero.

• 1895

  The first Schwarzensteinhütte opens on 8 August.

• 1893

  Sektion Leipzig of the DuÖAV decides to build the first Schwarzensteinhütte at 2,922 m.

High-alpine refuge combining tradition with innovation, sustainable energy, and modern design.

• Overnight accommodation

  4 double rooms and 42 dormitory beds.

• Dining and bar

  Kitchen and guest room with bar and panoramic glazing.

• Winter emergency shelter

  Emergency shelter with 10 beds, no cooking or heating facilities.

1. 1Schwarzensteinhütte - Homeschwarzensteinhuette.com
2. 2Schwarzensteinhütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Schwarzensteinhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org