by Alessandra Ressa
The Rifugio Premuda, the lowest Alpine hut in Italy, has long been a beloved stop for hikers traversing the scenic Val Rosandra in Bagnoli della Rosandra, near Trieste.
Built in 1933, for generations it has offered weary travelers a place to rest, refresh, and enjoy a well-deserved break in the heart of nature and has served as a gathering point for those exploring the beautiful Karst Plateau. Now, after almost two years of closure, the hut is set to reopen by the end of April, with the expectation that it will welcome visitors before Easter.
Bagnoli della Rosandra (known locally as Boljunec or B’lunc, and in German as Bollunz) is a picturesque village within the municipality of San Dorligo – Dolina, in Trieste’s Carso. This small village sits under the hills of St. Michele, just before entering the beautiful Rosandra valley. With a population of approximately 1,305 residents, the majority of whom are Slovenian, it is a place where nature, history, and local culture beautifully intertwine.
The area surrounding the Premuda Alpine Hut is renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, lovely trails, austere woods and peaceful valleys.
The reopening of the Premuda Alpine Hut is a significant event for the local community and outdoor enthusiasts alike. A beloved place for Triestini, who enjoyed its famous “gnocchi”, it is not just a place to rest during a hike, but a symbol of the region’s strong connection to nature and its enduring tradition of hospitality. As visitors return to explore the trails of the Val Rosandra and the Karst, they can once again enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and scenic beauty that the Premuda Alpine Hut has provided for decades.
The rifugio will be managed by a well-known Triestino and mountaineer Franco Bulli, owner of Acquedotto cafe in Viale XX Settembre . It was his lifelong dream to manage an Alpine hut and now it has become reality literally a few steps from home.
