An authentic record of material culture, technology, and everyday life in Merano, Bolzano, and South Tyrol. From craft workshops to the telegraph — original voices of the historic press (1819–1950).
On 13 August 1840, a solemn memorial service was held in Vienna's St. Rupert's Church for the fallen Tyrolean and Vorarlberg defenders of 1809. Alongside relatives of Andreas Hofer and Father Joachim Haspinger, twenty veterans of the Battle of Bergisel attended. Martin Frick announced that the memorial mass will henceforth be observed annually.
A severe thunderstorm on 16 June 1840 triggered devastating debris flows between Schlanders and Latsch. In Vezan, the local church was engulfed by mud and debris, claiming the life of the beneficed priest, while in Goldrain fields were ruined and livestock swept away.
Reports from Brixen and Botzen on the proceeds from this year's New Year exemption cards in aid of the urban and rural poor. Alongside Botzen, Meran and Klausen also recorded charitable donations.
In the concluding part of his account, Franz Radi, a rural doctor from Algund, describes the descent, at times hazardous, from the Similaun across the Grafferner glacier into the Schnals Valley. He reflects on the physical after-effects of the high-alpine tour, recommends the most suitable ascent route, and commends the local mountain guides, cooperator Johann Egger, and local inns.
Continuation of the account describing the ascent of the Similaun peak in the Schnals Valley on August 27, 1839. Despite heavy fog and extreme weather, the mountaineers reach the summit, conduct barometric altitude measurements, and leave a summit record in a bottle.
A travel account describes the ascent of the Similaun peak in the Schnals Valley on 27 August 1839 by the author and a party of local companions. The report outlines the route via the Leiter farm and the Kaaserer Marterle, as well as the changing weather conditions along the edge of the glacier.
Report on the dramatic rescue of wood gatherer Johann Königsrainer in the cliffs near Pfistrad in St. Leonhard in Passeyr. Following a rockfall, Anton Neurauter held onto his severely injured companion at the risk of his own life until rescuers could pull both to safety. The participants received official government rewards for their bravery.
A report on the rapid construction of the privately funded Milan–Monza railway line by the Botzen merchant Johann von Putzer. It also reports on government reviews of the project for a railway connecting Milan and Venice.
Detailed final report on the 1839 imperial free shooting in Merano, including results, shooting statistics, and prize recipients. Special tribute is paid to imperial forester Alois von Pernwerth, an 1809 veteran who secured the first main prize.
Report on the opening of the imperial shooting match at the Merano main shooting range on 19 April 1839 in honour of Emperor Ferdinand I. The eight-day festival was funded by an imperial donation of 500 florins made in the summer of 1838.
The Imperial-Royal District and Criminal Investigation Court of Meran authorizes the voluntary public auction of the Löwen inn and associated real estate in Rabland, Partschins, and Plaus upon petition by Mathias Laimer. The sale spans five lots including the inn, meadows, arable plots, and woodlands along with manorial dues and servitude rights. The auction will be held on 21 May 1839 at the Löwen inn in Rabland.
A report from St. Leonhard in Passeier on the festivities marking the birthday of Emperor Ferdinand I. Alongside church services and gatherings commemorating the Tyrolean uprising of 1809, an open shooting match was held at the Sand.
Following a solemn church service, the Passeier riflemen in St. Leonhard held their annual prize shooting match funded by an imperial donation made during the Emperor's visit to Merano. The competition at the main range and branch stands in Sand and Moos saw broad participation and concluded with toasts and tributes to the imperial family.
A supplementary note records the presence of the Schützen company from the district of Ulten during the imperial couple's journey through Meran. Commanded by the highly decorated 73-year-old veteran Captain Partatscher, the unit received supreme imperial commendation.
Report on the ascent of the Ortler on 21 July 1838 by a group of six, including postmaster Andreas Tschiggfrey and 16-year-old Maria Karner. Guided by Johann Bruner, the party completed the hazardous route across ice and rock in eight hours. At the summit, they encountered the remains of the historic Gebhard pyramid erected in 1802.
Report on imperial donations granted during the Emperor's journey to Bolzano and Merano. In addition to support for the town's poor and staff at Castle Tirol, the main shooting guild in Merano was granted 500 florins.
Account of the 1838 imperial visit to Meran and the ceremonial enfeoffment at Castle Tyrol. The estate of Andreas Hofer, leader in 1809, in Passeier is elevated to the sovereign fief Sandhof and conferred upon his descendants.
Following a fatal poisoning incident in a South Tyrolean municipality, which caused the death of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy and severe illness in three others, a public warning is issued against using untinned copper cookware. The notice also recalls the official ban enacted in 1816.
On 29 June 1838, lightning struck the St. Ulrich branch church in Plars, causing severe damage to the steeple, vaulting, and interior furnishings. One of three women present inside the church was killed, and the other two were injured.
In June 1838, Archduke John visited Brixen, where he inspected the fortification works near Unterau and attended the imperial-royal main shooting range. He then continued his journey to Innsbruck via Meran.
