THE MURDEROUS DOLOMITES
Crime fiction fans will gather in May at the foot
of the Seiser Alm: during a writing workshop
led by South Tyrolean bestselling author
Lenz Koppelstätter, guests at the
Schgaguler Hotel will get creative for three days
Hamburg/Kastelruth, 9 April 2026 – “All stories end in death if you follow them far enough,” wrote Ernest Hemingway. That could be the motto for the three-day workshop in Castelrotto: for the second time, guests at the Schgaguler Hotel are setting out in search of a body, a motive and a culprit – in their imagination and on paper or laptop. Under the expert guidance of South Tyrolean author Lenz Koppelstätter.
He has written books about Alma Mahler and Hubert Messner, and most recently enjoyed literary success with the Turkish-German family saga ‘Aylas Lachen’. His crime series featuring investigator Commissario Grauner has achieved cult status, and his new series of novels featuring police reporter Gianna Pitti also immediately made it onto the bestseller lists. His characters tackle contemporary issues and capture the Italian way of life, with settings ranging from the Brenner Pass to the Ortler. From 28 to 31 May, he will be taking guests at the Schgaguler Hotel in Castelrotto on a creative journey. Lenz Koppelstätter hails from a South Tyrolean wine-growing village and has returned to live there after spending years in Bologna, Berlin, Munich and Istanbul. In this workshop, designed especially for the Schgaguler Hotel, he will spend three days answering questions about writing. Together with the participants, he will develop characters, plots and storylines – in an exciting mix of readings, creative writing and exploring the natural surroundings on gentle walks.
The Schgaguler Hotel has won numerous awards for its design. Its cuisine combines South Tyrolean and Italian specialities, and the spa, complete with a pool and saunas, offers the perfect place to unwind after hikes and writing exercises – – just like in the elegant rooms with their clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the mighty Schlern, one of the kings of the Dolomites.
