Passo Palade connects Merano with the Val di Non and, at 1,520 metres it is one of the lowest mountain passes in the Alps. This is why it has long been used by travellers, pilgrims and merchants to travel easily from north to south. The land just to the south of the pass, on the Val di Non side, is called Deutschnonsberg and has always been a place where cultures meet. Even today, the Germanic culture of South Tirol meets the Italian culture of Trentino: the German-speaking area of the Upper Val di Non, known as Deutschnonsberg, is unusual since it geographically is part of the Val di Non but administratively it is part of South Tirol.
One of the largest bunkers in South Tirol was built on Passo Palade. The bunker is open to visitors, with interesting exhibitions inside including one on minerals, featuring a wonderful collection, and a photographic account of 1935 - 1939 when the road was built over Passo Palade.
Mineral collection "From out of the mountain - into the mountain"
The mineral collection of Toni Kleim is concealed within the mountain. Consisting of around 2,500 minerals, collected form many European countries, it is an aesthetically pleasing display that depicts the systematics of minerology.
Photo exhibition on the building of the Gampen road
The exihibition features historical photographs of the construction of the road over the Gampen / Palade Pass from 1935-1939, as well as information and plans about the bunker and the so called Alpine Wall.
Bunker cheese
The " Monte Mais Kofel" cheese, produced by the cooperative dairy of Fondo, is matured in the Bunker. A product made form fresh mountain milk form the farmers of the Alta Val di Non.
