A charming mountain village with culture and tradition

Kappl in Tyrol

Nestled in the Silvretta mountain range, the 2,600-inhabitant village of Kappl is flanked by the neighbouring resorts of See, Galtür and the famous Ischgl. Have you ever wondered where the charming holiday resort got its name? Or what fascinating stories the quaint little village has to tell? We have all the answers for you! Find out everything there is to know about the holiday resort amid the Verwall and Samnaun mountain range in the Tyrolean Paznaun Valley!

Kappls location

The municipality of Kappl belongs to the district of Landeck and boast a total of more than 90 hamlets. Nestled amid the Verwall and Samnaun mountain range, Kappl is the second biggest village of the Paznaun region after the neighbouring resort of See. In addition to a wide range of summer activities, the holiday resort also offers excellent opportunities for great winter holidays in the Tyrolean mountains. 

How the village got its name...

Have you ever wondered where the name of a village comes from? In the case of the province of Tyrol, everything started with a noble family from Merano. Until one thousand years ago, the province was simply called “land in the mountains” until Albert II founded the county of Tyrol, naming it after the former Tirol Castle in Merano.

In the case of Kappl, the name goes back to the many chapels lining the paths of the Paznaun Valley. The village was first mentioned in official documents under the Latin name of “Ad capellam”, with the second sound shift leading to today’s name. However, why are there so many chapels in Kappl? Read up on the region’s picturesque landmarks and find out more!

the history of Kappl

Since the 13th century, Kappl belonged to the Counts of Tyrol. After numerous wars and occupations, "Ad capellam" was first mentioned in official documents in 1370. Another name mentioned in the documents was that of “Langesthei”, which translates to spring meadow and is the main motive of three well-known Kappl legends. 

Before the first inhabitants settled down in Kappl, the local pastures were used as summer meadows by what is presumed to have been the Rhaeto-Romans of the Engadin region. Their first settlement was known as the “Niederhof”. Later, in the 16th to 18th century, the first hamlets and chapels were established during the course of the counter-reformation. From then on, the small mountain village.

A picturesque village with special characteristics

Everybody knows what they say about small villages. Their inhabitants are said to be reclusive and peculiar, simply shutting out the rest of the world. However, the holiday guests are always eager to discover MORE: more of the picturesque village, the breath-taking landscapes, wild nature and adrenaline-fuelled adventures. That’s what motivates the small communities to open up and embrace the world and its visitors. However, there’s still some peculiarities to discover in the small village of Kappl! 

  • Nala, Nali or Nona? Different dialects: Only the locals can hear the miniscule differences between the dialects of the Paznaun’s Untertal and Obertal. For instance, while at the front of the valley, the grandmother is lovingly called “Nala” or “Nali”, she is referred to as “Nona” in the rear part of the Paznaun.
  • On first-name terms: Maybe it’s the mountains, the fresh air or simply the heartfelt hospitality of the Tyroleans. However, in Tyrol, everyone is on first-name terms, greeting everyone with a friendly “Servus” or “Griaß di”.
  • Tyroleans always know exactly where they are: It might sound funny, but with the mountains as their point of reference, the “Berglandler” (mountain dwellers) always know their way.

Every country has its quirks and peculiarities. And what better way to discover them than during an unforgettable holiday!

Get to now the village and its inhabitants
Map TIROL