Eli and Urban, your hosts at Ramilia
Get to know your hosts. And the story of the Beer Witches.
Urban
“My journey as a host began at the Gampl Alm hut, perched high on Mt San Vigilio/Vigiljoch. I managed the inn until a devastating fire completely destroyed it in December 1993. Rebuilding seemed nearly impossible during that tough time, but we persevered and gradually restored and even expanded the hut. Today, my eldest son Christian and his wife Andrea run the place and are in charge of the kitchen.
Cooking is my true passion. After over 40 years in kitchens both locally and internationally, I’m still captivated by the diversity of flavours and cooking techniques, finding joy in creating culinary art with every dish. You can often find me in the kitchen at Ramilia, which I purchased back in 2003 and opened as “Waldschenke” in 2004. I especially love when my two youngest children, Emily and Elia, keep me company or lend a helping hand. When I’m not busy working, I enjoy chatting with guests at the bar, playing the accordion with my son at the Gampl Alm, or, in winter, skiing with my kids on the beautiful slopes of the region."
Eli
“For more than 20 years now, I've stood by Urban's side. While he focuses on our guests’ culinary enjoyment, I manage the day-to-day operations: service, reception, purchasing, office tasks, and anything else that arises. I also love showcasing my creativity through interior design and decorations. Since 2013, I’ve been a proud mum to two wonderful children, Emily and Elia, who are already great helpers in the restaurant.
For years, we dreamt of offering rooms at Ramilia. Now, that dream has become a reality, and the new rooftop terrace with the Family Sky Pool has quickly become my favourite spot. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the morning sun as it bathes everything in golden light and listening to the cheerful birdsong.
I’m thankful for the diverse activities our region offers, as I love to switch between hobbies – climbing, cycling, hiking, or skiing – especially when I can share those moments with my family."
The legend of the Beer Witches
Once upon a time – so the story goes – a group of witches lived in Farmazon near Naturns. They were skilled at brewing beer and lived a happy, carefree life. Unfortunately, their happiness didn’t last. When unrest swept through the land, the witches had to find a new home. They escaped to the Pale Mountains and eventually settled at Mt Sciliar/Schlern. From then on, they were known as the Sciliar/Schlern Witches, keeping their old home a secret. However, attentive observers can find clues: Their new refuge began with the last letter of Naturns, an S, and ended with its first letter, an N. Seven letters in total guide the way forward.
- S – stands for the final letter in Naturns
- C – represents Cervisia, their beloved beer
- H – indicates hags
- L – denotes the love for their old homeland
- E – conveys the enduring memory of it
- R – signifies the regret of having left their old home
- N – stands for the first letter in Naturns
Although the Beer Witches departed long ago, we still find many traces of their lives in Naturns. When we pour a fresh beer, we toast to their memory. The legend also contains a prophecy: The day an extraordinary beer is served in the forest around Naturns, the Beer Witches will return to their homeland.
