Amalia Pernter 1896 isn’t just a stop on a travel itinerary — it’s a gateway to understanding what South Tyrol is all about. If you’re a curious-minded traveler, dive in to discover how culture, craftsmanship, and cuisine come together in one unforgettable place.
Tucked along South Tyrol’s Wine Road in the village of Salorno (Salurn), just where the vineyards begin to roll into mountains, you’ll encounter a place where Alpine heritage comes alive through needle, thread and spirit.
Housed in a meticulously restored 16th-century manor, Amalia Pernter 1896 is where South Tyrol’s folkloric past still boldly lives in the present. One part tailor’s workshop, one part living museum, and one part culinary sanctuary, this place makes no apologies for its obsession with detail, history, and tradition. And once you step through its rustic doorway, you’ll be grateful for that.
If you’re looking to connect with the culture of South Tyrol in a tangible, meaningful way, visiting Amalia Pernter 1896 is one of the most memorable things you can do. Whether you’re window-shopping, searching for the perfect lederhosen or dirndl, or simply enjoying a glass of local wine in the courtyard, this place invites you to slow down and savor the stories stitched into every fabric, button, and beam.
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Artisans of the Alps
It all starts with Amalia Pernter, a 22-year-old force of nature who opened a textile shop in the village of Neumarkt (Egna) in 1896. She was gutsy, sharp, and decades ahead of her time. She traded in traditional women’s fashion when few women owned businesses at all.
The brothers didn’t inherit the craft; they chose it.
Fast forward over a century: her great-great-grandsons, Norman and Thomas Ventura, have revived her legacy under the family name, transforming her story into a full-blown movement. Today, they run the last lederhosen tailoring shop in South Tyrol, right out of an aristocratic estate that feels lifted from a historical film set, but with better lighting.
The brothers didn’t inherit the craft; they chose it. Norman trained under the last true masters of the trade, the Gebhard brothers in Brixen (Bressanone), where he learned to cut, stitch, and embroider lederhosen by hand, using stencils passed down for generations. Thomas, a former accountant and athlete, brings strategy and structure to the family dream.
Together, they’ve made Amalia Pernter 1896 a refined and welcoming destination where heritage and hospitality beautifully intersect.
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A Home for Alpine Fashion
The Ventura brothers operate Amalia Pernter 1896 out of the historic Ansitz Liebenstein, a centuries-old manor located in the center of Salurno. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the building to learn not only about the tailoring process but also about everyday life in old South Tyrol.
Before stepping inside for our tour, we stopped to admire a striking fresco of the Virgin Mary gracing its facade, which we later learned dates to the 16th century. Its antiquated beauty set the tone perfectly for what lay ahead.
In a world that often downplays overt expressions of cultural identity in favor of bland inclusivity, lederhosen are a defiant middle finger stitched in deerskin.
The atmosphere inside Amalia Pernter 1896 is authentic and layered. It’s immediately evident Norman and Thomas collect history with the same passion they sew into their garments. Every item connects you to South Tyrol’s past.
Right off the bat, the first room draws your eyes to historic pairs of lederhosen displayed behind antique glass, almost like sacred relics. One pair is more than 200 years old.
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From there, old photographs line the walls and thoughtfully curated treasures fill every nook — antique sewing machines, vintage bicycles, chamois and stag mounts — all evoking traditional life in the Alps. There’s even a classic motorcycle standing in one corner that, if you’re like us, might inspire daydreams of racing through the mountain passes of the Dolomites.
As we stepped from room to room on the tour, we found ourselves wanting to linger longer in each one to admire the historical pieces, but we were especially eager to reach the tailor shop. Here’s where you’ll discover the fascinating craft behind making traditional lederhosen — a wonderful opportunity to learn about techniques that have been passed down through generations and understand why these skills remain so important to South Tyrolean culture today.
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Last of the Lederhosen Masters
If you think lederhosen are just kitschy alpine partywear, think again. During our tour with Norman, we learned they’re treated like heirlooms. Woven declarations of belonging and pride.
In a world that often downplays overt expressions of cultural identity in favor of bland inclusivity, lederhosen are a defiant middle finger stitched in deerskin. They’re tradition worn outloud. A statement that heritage matters, and has a place in the present.
A properly cared-for pair of lederhosen can last up to 300 years.
The main clients of Amalia Pernter 1896 range from everyday South Tyroleans to folk dance groups, rifle companies, marching bands, and Schuhplattler troupes from as far as Austria and Bavaria.
As we walked through the tailor shop, Norman shared that each pair is handmade from deerskin sourced through hunting in Stelvio National Park — one of Europe’s largest nature reserves, tucked in far western South Tyrol just south of Lago di Resia.
The deer hides are then tanned nearby by the Pernter family using traditional methods that soften and preserve the leather, preventing it from becoming hard, brittle, or prone to decay. The tailoring work is meticulous. A single pair can include up to 40 individual pieces of leather and take about a week to create.
Patterns are drawn by hand, customer measurements are matched precisely, and embroidery is chosen based on personal preferences or club affiliations. No two pairs are exactly alike.
The finished garment is a comfy yet remarkably durable garment. We were astonished to discover that a properly cared-for pair of lederhosen can last up to 300 years.
What struck us the most was how every item managed to be both faithfully traditional and genuinely stylish.
In addition to lederhosen, Norman noted that Amalia Pernter 1896 also produces a full range of Tracht, or Trachten — traditional garments that celebrate the alpine heritage of South Tyrol. These include:
- Dirndls, both classic and contemporary, paired with lace blouses and hand-pleated skirts
- Loden jackets, wool trousers, and hand-embroidered suspenders
- Finely tailored shirts, traditional hats, and leather and woven bags
- Loferl, the traditional calf-wool socks worn with lederhosen
After the tour with Norman, we spent some time wandering through their shop, and honestly, it was incredible to see the sheer variety of traditional Tracht they had available. Walking through felt like stepping into a boutique from a bygone era — every corner revealed stunning handcrafted pieces that spoke of South Tyrol’s rich cultural heritage.
What struck us the most was how every item managed to be both faithfully traditional and genuinely stylish. Each garment clearly showed the care and attention given to honoring the past while still creating something you’d actually want to wear today.
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Lederhosen by Day, Lagrein by Night
You don’t need to be shopping for a new dirndl or a pair of lederhosen to visit and appreciate Amalia Pernter 1896. In addition to the tailoring shop, the building also houses a restaurant, a wine bar, and a vast collection of wines tucked away in its original stone cellar.
You can dine in tastefully restored rooms echoing with old-world charm, or outdoors in a courtyard seemingly tailored for long, wine-soaked conversations.
We were especially intrigued to learn that much of the menu features inventive venison dishes —ensuring that the deer used for lederhosen are honored fully, nose to tail. While we didn’t stay for a full meal, a single glass of Lagrein was enough to confirm that we’ll be back for the full experience.
Whether you’re commissioning your first pair of custom lederhosen or simply savoring a glass of wine in the courtyard, a visit here offers more than just a keepsake. It invites a lasting connection to the land, its people, and a culture that continues to thrive through its devotion to craft and tradition.
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