Did you know that San Candido is the oldest municipality in South Tyrol?

According to reports, the first people to inhabit this area were Indo-European peoples such as the Celts who inhabited the areas along the banks of the Danube. During the Roman period, this area was known as Littamum, an ancient Roman post used as a resting place for horses.

Towards the end of the 6th century A.D., serious conflicts occurred in the area of Alta Pusteria between the Slavs advancing from the east and the Bavarian populations from the north. As a result of these clashes, today’s San Candido suffered destruction. However, it is still unclear whether the destruction was caused by warlike events, a flood or a large fire.

Its function as a passage and transport area was maintained during the Middle Ages and in later periods until the 19th century when it became a place of worship attracting worshippers from all over Europe. The town was annexed to Italy during the First World War for military-political reasons, despite its location across the river, and remains so to this day.

Today, idyllic San Candido is one of the busiest towns in Alta Pusteria, with many shops and elegant boutiques alternating with trendy cafés and restaurants in its pedestrianised centre, dominated by Monte Baranci/Haunold.