Zsigmondyhütte

The Zsigmondyhütte (Italian: Rifugio Zsigmondy Comici) is a mountain hut located at 2,224 metres above sea level on a rocky ridge at the foot of the Zwölferkofel in the Sexten Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy. It lies within the Drei Zinnen Nature Park and serves as a base for hikers and climbers exploring the surrounding peaks. The hut is named after the Viennese alpinist Emil Zsigmondy, and since 1948 it has also carried the name Comici, honouring the Italian alpinist and mountain guide Emilio Comici (1901–1940) from Trieste. The first hut was built about 100 metres from the current site in 1886 by the Österreichischer Alpenklub (ÖAK). Initially unmanaged, it was damaged by an avalanche in the winter of 1887/1888 but was soon restored. After an enlargement, managed operations began in 1902. A further significant expansion in 1908 created a larger building that could accommodate around 60 people. During World War I, the hut was completely destroyed by Italian artillery on 8 July 1915. A new building at the present location was decided upon in 1926 by the Padua section of the CAI and completed in 1929. This hut, already similar in size to today's, was temporarily renamed Rifugio Benito Mussolini. During World War II it was again looted and heavily damaged. Restoration took place in 1946 under the name Rifugio Comici, and in 1948 it received the name Rifugio Zsigmondy-Comici. Together with 24 other mountain huts expropriated by the state, the Zsigmondyhütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol in 1999; the CAI's concession to manage it expired at the end of 2010. Since 2015, the Province of South Tyrol has been supported in the administration of the hut (leasing to tenants, supervision of management, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes, alongside public authorities, the AVS and the CAI. The hut is typically accessed from the valley town of Moos (1,339 m) in the Sexten Valley via the relatively flat Fischleintal valley, passing the Fischleinbodenhütte (1,454 m) and the Talschlusshütte (1,526 m) at the foot of the Einserkofel. The route can be shortened by using the hiking car park or the bus stop at the Fischleinbodenhütte. A cycle path leads to the Talschlusshütte. From there, a somewhat steeper ascent (through the area of the October 2007 rockfall from the Einserkofel) enters the Bacherntal valley between the Einserkofel and Elferkofel massifs. The prominent peak of the Hochleist (2,413 m) serves as a landmark on this section. The climb to the hut passes the Kanzel and Hochleist, soon revealing the impressive Zwölferkofel massif. Walking time from the Talschlusshütte is about two hours. The hut can be used as a starting point for the famous Alpinisteig (Alpine Path). At its end, one can descend to the Rotwandwiesenhütte with the nearby cable car to Sexten/Moos, or via the Sentinellascharte to the Bertihütte. Transitions to other huts include paths to the Büllelejochhütte (2,528 m) and on to the Dreizinnenhütte (2,405 m), southwest over the Zwölferscharte and Rossleitn to the Lavaredohütte (2,344 m), and southeast over the Giralba-Scharte to the Carduccihütte (2,297 m). For alpine climbers, the nearby Zwölferkofel is a prime objective. Demanding mountain tours can lead to the Hochbrunnerschneid (3,046 m) and the Oberbachernspitzen (2,675 m). The summit of the Hochbrunnerschneid can be reached from the Dolomiten-Höhenweg eastwards to the junction for the ascent via the Inneres Loch. The route to the Oberbachernspitzen leads over the Passo Fiscalino and the Büllelejochhütte. Shorter and easier tours include hikes to the Hochleist (2,413 m) and the Kanzel (2,531 m).

The Zsigmondyhütte was first built in 1886 by the Österreichischer Alpenklub (ÖAK) about 100 metres from its current location. Initially unmanaged, the hut was damaged by an avalanche in the winter of 1887/1888 but was soon restored. After an enlargement, managed operations began in 1902. A further significant expansion in 1908 created a larger building that could accommodate around 60 people. During World War I, the hut was completely destroyed by Italian artillery on 8 July 1915. A new building at the present site was decided upon in 1926 by the Padua section of the CAI and completed in 1929. This hut, already similar in size to today's, was temporarily renamed Rifugio Benito Mussolini. During World War II, the house was again looted and heavily damaged. Restoration took place in 1946 under the name Rifugio Comici, and in 1948 it received the name Rifugio Zsigmondy-Comici. Together with 24 other mountain huts expropriated by the state, the Zsigmondyhütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol in 1999; the CAI's concession to manage it expired at the end of 2010. Since 2015, the Province of South Tyrol has been supported in the administration of the hut (leasing to tenants, supervision of management, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes, alongside public authorities, the AVS and the CAI.

• 2015

  A parity commission including AVS and CAI begins supporting the province in hut administration.

• 2010

  CAI's concession to manage the hut expires at the end of the year.

• 1999

  Ownership passes to the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol along with 24 other huts.

• 1948

  Hut receives the name Rifugio Zsigmondy-Comici.

• 1946

  Restoration after World War II under the name Rifugio Comici.

• 1929

  New hut completed; temporarily renamed Rifugio Benito Mussolini.

• 1926

  Padua section of the CAI decides to build a new hut at the present location.

• 1915

  Hut completely destroyed by Italian artillery on 8 July 1915.

• 1908

  Significant expansion creates a larger building accommodating about 60 people.

• 1902

  Managed operations begin after an enlargement.

• 1887

  Hut damaged by an avalanche in winter 1887/1888.

• 1886

  First hut built by the Österreichischer Alpenklub (ÖAK) about 100 m from the current site.

Historic alpine refuge in the Sexten Dolomites, owned by the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol and operated under a lease.

• Mountain hut accommodation

• Food and beverage service

1. 1Hütte in den Sextner Dolomiten: Zsigmondyhüttezsigmondyhuette.com
2. 2Zsigmondyhütte – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Zsigmondyhütte – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org