Naz
Welcome to Naz-Sciaves!
Naz-Sciaves is a beautiful municipality located in the autonomous province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. The town is situated on a high-altitude plateau and is home to approximately 3,298 people. This municipality is part of the Valle Isarco community and is famous for its apple production. Come with me to discover further details about this enchanting area!
Discover Naz-Sciaves: Physical Geography
The territory of Naz-Sciaves is characterized by the presence of two biotopes, the Palù Raier and the Sommersurs located east of the former NATO organization base. The hilly landscape of the municipality was used as a training zone by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Army during World War I. Furthermore, the central location of the area in the former Austrian Tyrol and its proximity to the southern front made it an area of great importance during the conflict.
The History of Naz-Sciaves: Training Camps
The Sciaves training camp was important because the troops learned techniques for building positions, defense, and assault. They also trained for future trench battles with hand grenades, explosive material, launchers, flamethrowers, knives, and daggers. Until the outbreak of war, this structure was increasingly utilized and even developed. When the troops came to practice here, they were housed from Vandoies to Rodengo and had to march every day to reach the training zone. The training zone was also used by the Bavarian "Alpenkorps" during the conflict. Even during the conflict, new Austrian troops came here to practice before going to war; the latest news of training courses in Sciaves is from October 1918.
In the 1930s, the area was also used for military exercises by the Italian soldiers. Later, between 1944 and 1945, German soldiers trained here, as they were stationed in Bressanone. Today, only a few remains of the trenches remain. The Puster Valley begins from the town of Sciaves. The area had great strategic importance. During fascism, Mussolini decided to build the Alpine Wall in Alto Adige, and about forty bunkers were built in the area to prevent access to Bressanone. These works are part of the Rienza-Rio Valles-Sciaves Barrier.
Naz-Sciaves after the Conflict
In the 1950s, Naz-Sciaves witnessed the establishment of a land improvement consortium that significantly intensified apple cultivation. Subsequently, a NATO base was active starting from 1958, called "Site Rigel," where it is believed that nuclear weapons were located to prevent a Soviet invasion from Austria. The base was closed towards the end of the 1980s.
The Origin of the Name Naz-Sciaves
The toponym of the municipality is composed of two parts, both attested in 1050 as "Nouzas," "Nouces," "Natz," and "Scouvis," "Scoubes," "Schabs." Both parts of the toponym are of pre-Roman origin.
Conclusion
I would like to conclude by saying that Naz-Sciaves is a municipality that has much to offer. Its military history is very interesting and represents a piece of Italian history. But the town is not just this: the apple production is well-known, and the beauty of the surrounding hills and the Puster Valley that starts from this town. So, what are you waiting for to visit Naz-Sciaves?
