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Earth Pyramids near Oberwielenbach / Bruneck
The Earth Pyramids in Percha - Several hundred years ago there was a landslide caused by a storm, which cut off the existing cart track between the Thalerhof and Aschbach. It would have been easy to fill in the gap with earth, but nobody did it, as the route was not an important one. In 1882 there was again a great storm, and a large trench formed. Through repeated flooding and washing out of the side slopes, these loamy pillar structures remained standing where the heavier stones lay. The earth pyramids change constantly, and new pillars form all the time, especially in winter and spring. The erosion area is situated at a height of 1550 to 1750 meters above sea level and is the most significant incidence of earth pyramids in the Puster Valley, particularly because of the many different sizes of formation.
Earth pyramids have something in common with both the mountain lakes and the Dolomites - it is often difficult to say what colour they really are. Their hue changes depending on the time of day and light conditions, and anyone who visits the same group more than once will always feel differently about their colouring.
This is also true of the Platter Earth Pyramids in Percha. If a dazzling sun shines on them they are yellowish, if the skies are cloudy the yellow tone almost completely disappears and they become brownish, and in the twilight they are often ash grey. And perhaps even more complicated is their name, as they are not always to be are found under the name used here, even if it has gradually become the most common name. At one time they were also known as the Earth pyramids of Aschbach, then of Wielenberg and at another time the Litschbach Pyramids.
This gives the impression that there is a whole range of such features in the area around Bruneck. At the turn of the century the entire erosion area was even known as “Maria Theresia”, as its silhouettes from the Bruneck side were reminiscent of the image of the Austrian empress (today this can no longer be seen due to the growth of the forest).
We owe the first relatively early detailed descriptions to Professor Carl Meusburger, whose name is often mentioned in connection with the South Tyrolean earth pyramids. The researcher also gives an accurate characterisation of them: “smaller stones stuck in the side walls of the pyramids from time to time create delicate side-columns and often such a rich structure, that the whole lot could be compared to the vaults and pillars of a large gothic cathedral. Indeed this is a feature that distinguishes these earth pyramids from all others. It is not structureless, “classic” pillars that dominate the scene alone, but rather a large variety of forms. Alongside small, delicate pyramids and very slender, quite tall ones, some very compact ones also stand out, which barely taper upwards, but which have been so heavily gnawed away at by erosion, that a whole batch of smaller towers have been created. And so in spite of their considerable size they appear exceedingly fragile and it is a source of wonder that they have not been long since overwhelmed by their mighty cap stones.
Today the earth pyramids of Percha are a very well known sight in the Puster Valley and are much visited. From Oberwielenbach near Percha the earth pyramids can be reached in approx. 45 minutes via a well-marked hiking trail. From Platten the walk takes 30 minutes. Please use the parking spaces provided, as it is not possible to park at the earth pyramids.
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