An der Etsch, Teutonic Order bailiwick in South Tyrol, Italy
An der Etsch is a bailiwick in South Tyrol that served as an administrative and religious territory for the Teutonic Order. The region encompasses multiple parishes and communities spread across northern Italian lands.
The bailiwick traces its origins to a 1202 donation by Bolzano residents Gerold and Mechthild, intended for a hospital and church. Over time, this grew into an organized territory with its own seat and administrative structure.
The name comes from the Etsch River, which flows through the region and has shaped life here for centuries. The area still bears marks of religious order governance visible in village churches and older buildings that define the local landscape.
The territory spreads across multiple valleys and communities that are best explored on foot or with local transport. Visitors will find accommodations and services available in the towns throughout the area.
The land commander of this territory held a permanent seat in the Tyrolean Parliament from 1534 to 1918. This representation reflected the political power the order maintained over centuries in the region.
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