A century of hospitality in the hearth of the alps of the Dolomites
Scrive Barbara: Barbara writes: “The story of the alpine refuge starts in 1912 when the first construction built by Mariangelo Frenner was used as barn and as mountain shelter”
1919 Mariangelo enlarged the refuge with parts of military constructions from the 1. World War.
At that time it was called “Small Fanes Chalet”. It was a simple alpine cabin made of stone where the first alpinists were offered a place to sleep and something to drink. Only in 1934 when the son of Mariangelo, Fritz Frenner (my father’s uncle) restored the building, it became a real alpine refuge. 1939 a fire destroyed it completely, but it was rebuilt in the same year again. Fritz Frenner died during the 2. World War and his brother Peter (my grandfather and owner of the Hotel Corona**** in San Vigilio) took over the business. In the 70ties my father Hanspeter succeeded him as manager and owner of the Lavarella Refuge.
The building has been renovated in 1980 and 1986. 1997 it got its todays appearance.
Still this very known refuge of the natural park is successfully run by my mother (enthusiastic cook) and my father (indisputable head), helped by my sister Anna and his irreplaceable husband Gábor.
My sisters and I lived every summer (from June to October) and every winter (from February until April – ski touring season) our fairy tale childhood at one of the most beautiful places of the world. A childhood like Heidi… really enviable!
Since 2009 the guests can enjoy also a Finnish sauna in a wine barrel behind the refuge. At the moment it is even the highest located brewery of Europe with an own production of artisan beer: GA.BEER!
