Our world in detail #1

Those who look closely at the historic Leisenhof estate will notice a play of bricks within its white-framed windows, arranged in a fine zigzag pattern. What appears to be a simple ornament carries within it a story – a connection of function, culture and quiet beauty.

The Leisenhof estate is deeply rooted in the history of Kaltern. It dates back to the Leys family, an old and influential dynasty of the Überetsch region. Later, it became part of the estates of Maria Raineria, Princess of Campofranco, who loved the castle and vineyards of Kaltern and was the first to officially record the Preyhof, Leisenhof and Seehof estates. Even then, it was a place where rural tradition met noble foresight.

The transformation of the historic wine estate into a boutique hotel followed the same guiding principle: to preserve the historical substance while bringing it into the present. This also includes the brick lattice windows – an architectural detail deeply rooted in rural building culture. They once replaced glass, allowing light and air to enter while protecting the stored harvest from sparks. In their design, they became a form of folk art, with patterns, symbols and ornamentation that went far beyond mere practicality.

The preservation of the brick lattice windows at the Leisenhof estate is a statement of cultural respect. They express an aesthetic that has endured for centuries: clear, rhythmic, calming. In the architecture of the boutique hotel, their lines reappear – a quiet homage to what was, and a bridge to what is yet to come.