On July 23, 1889, the Bolzano section of the Austrian Tourist Club built an observation tower made of solid wooden logs at the summit of Titschen (1616 m), which has a double-shingled roof. Here’s a contemporary report about it:
To celebrate the completion of the observation tower at Titschen, a successful section excursion took place on Sunday, attended by summer visitors in Kohlern, tourists, and brave Nimrods from Bolzano. Groups walked up to the heights, which were visited by more than 30 people that day. The path, marked excellently by Mr. Engineer Stipeck, is very comfortable, with a gentle slope through the forest, and the observation tower can be reached from Kohlern in about an hour. Young and old enjoyed the wide view on a beautifully clear day with almost no wind. They returned to Kohlern after 2 PM, where the "Knödel" (dumplings) were delicious at the well-known inn, and the excellent fresh red wine was enjoyed enthusiastically. Meanwhile, several brave latecomers from the city had also arrived, creating a joyful atmosphere in Kohlern. In the evening, it was time to say goodbye to the fresh, cheerful heights. At "Röll" and in Kampenn at "Kofler," the thirsty tourists did not pass by indifferently. All participants were thoroughly satisfied with this rewarding mountain trip. This excursion destination will certainly be chosen often in the future, as there is no better viewpoint close to the city than Titschen.
The Kohlern mountain offers wonderful views and romantic paths. One notable point is the Titschen summit in the Rotsteingebirge, also called Stadlegg, where the municipality of Bolzano reaches its highest point at 1619 m (and from 1910 to 1918 was the "highest city in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy"). From 1928 until World War II, it had a wooden observation tower. The view here is most impressive in the afternoon; it reveals the lovely landscapes of the Eggental valley and, majestically, the wonders of the Dolomites.
In addition to the "Titschenwarte" over the porphyry walls on the eastern side, which was built in 1889 and bears countless inscriptions from 90 years, there are also three rock ledges above the Etschtal valley: the Köhlwände, the Rotwand, and the Nachtspitz, along with the strange landscape of the Dead Moos, a high moor where Kohlern ends and leads over a narrow saddle to the Regglberg. For those sure-footed, there are paths between and through the rocks on the eastern side with very varied natural scenery.
A legend says that the generous giant "Titsch" lived up there...
Regarding the stubbornness of a landowner at Virgl and the noble actions of Kohlern – the opening of the Titschenwarte on July 14, 1889
After the stubbornness of a landowner at Virgl forced the abandonment of a proposed Virgl path and a Virgl tower, the section committee decided to create a footpath from Kohlern to Titschen and to build an observation tower at an exposed location.
On July 14, the Titschenwarte was opened successfully, and all participants were amazed by the wonderful view from this spot.
While there had been various difficulties with the projected Virgl path due to the section leadership and its diligent chairman, Mr. Engineer Josef Stipel, which prevented its execution, the landowners were very willing to assist the section in creating the footpath from Kohlern to Titschen and in the construction of the Titschenwarte itself. Special thanks go to the builder, Mr. Geb. Altmann, the hospital administration in Bolzano, Mr. Baumgartner the wood trader, Mr. Anton Zelger, Kofler in Kampenn, Mr. Rottensteiner, Elbl in Kampenn, and Mr. Klaus Zelger in Kohlern. The section paid full attention to the marking of the paths.
About the resin-scented forest air and the justification of the name "Wunderblick"
As we mentioned yesterday, the newly built cable car to Kohlern will open tomorrow, on Pentecost Saturday, and operations are expected to begin in the early morning hours. Due to various reasons, there will not be an official opening ceremony. If the favorable weather holds, this cable car, which offers passengers an ideal landscape view and a magnificent distant view, should see a very lively flow of visitors during the Pentecost holidays, as the scenic plateau of Kohlern mountain is one of the nearest and most beautifully located excursion points and mountain stations. Up there, where visitors are greeted by the resin-scented forest air, excellent refreshments can be found both in the station restaurant run by Mr. Schnetz and in Klaushof. However, anyone taking the trip to this height should not miss visiting the "Wunderblick," a viewpoint that can be reached from Herrenkohlern in about 10 minutes along a lovely forest path. There, everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature glowing in the golden sunlight, the vividly red Dolomites, Latemar, and the Rosengarten group. It is a view of touching beauty and grandeur, from which every nature lover will be fully delighted and will understand that the name of this viewpoint, "Wunderblick," is entirely justified.
The fare for the Kohlern cable car is: one way: 1.70 crowns, round trip: 3 crowns.