Freienfeld in Wipptal valley is one of the youngest municipalities of South Tyrol, being formed in 1928, when the villages of Stilfes and Trens were merged. Along with Mauls, it is the centre of Freienfeld, which comprises a whole string of villages nestling to the right and left of the valley slopes. The valley basin, also known as Sterzinger Moos, has no inhabitants.
On a Farm Holiday in Freienfeld it is evident that there has been no shortage of historical events, despite its recent establishment.

The drama of courtly love
Sprechenstein fortress, which dates back to the 13th century, rises up on a rocky outcrop south of Sterzing. It is made up of a lower and an upper fortress and features a keep. Its round tower, visible for miles around, is the oldest part of the building. The fortress was badly damaged in the Second World War and later renovated. The Gothic Erasmus Chapel, with its 16th -century wall paintings, is worth seeing.
Legend has it that Burg Sprechenstein is haunted by a knight who has an arrow stuck in his heart, which was the one that killed him. He was very much in love with his wife and was murdered by a jealous knight who lived in neighbouring Burg Reifenstein.

On the tracks of the fortress trio  
Burg Reifenstein is located opposite Sprechenstein and goes back to the 12th century. Despite its considerable age, it is still one of the best-preserved fortresses in South Tyrol. It, too, rises majestically up on a rocky hill and, unlike Burg Sprechenstein, may be visited on a guided tour. On a holiday in Freienfeld, visitors gain insight into daily life at the fortress and chivalrous culture. The third cultural gem in Freienfeld is Schloss Welfenstein castle, also known as Maulser Schloss.

Pilgrims on the way to 'Trenser Mutter'  
Freienfeld is not just home to three fortresses, In the picturesque main village of Trens, Maria Trens shrine with its pilgrims' trail – to Maria Weißenstein, the most famous pilgrimage site in South Tyrol is situated. It has been the goal of countless pilgrims since the 14th century.
Around 1500, the flow of pilgrims reached its peak and a new parish church was built in Trens with the proceeds. A medallion of frescoes in the church depicts the legend of the origins of the pilgrimage site. According to this, a farmer found a statue of Mary beneath the rubble of a landslide. He took the figurine into his house to worship it there. But the next day, it had disappeared. It turned up again in the village chapel next to the parish church. This miracle became known far and wide and attracted lots of people in search of consolation and help from the statue in Maria Trens.