Athesia’s origins date back to 1888. Initially founded as the „Pressverein“ (Press Association) and later known as Tyrolia, the company soon became a leading player throughout the Tyrolean region in media, printing, publishing, book and paper retail, and calendar production. Today, the Athesia Group is a forward-looking enterprise active in a wide range of business sectors. With 1,100 dedicated employees and several hundred freelancers, Athesia ranks among the most significant employers in the region.
At the initiative of Prof. Msgr. Aemilian Schöpfer, the newspaper "Brixener Chronik" is launched. This is followed by the founding of the Catholic-Political Press Association.
From 1892, the "Tiroler Volksbote" is published fortnightly; from 1900, Der Tiroler appears three times a week. The first books are published and sold through the company’s own bookshops.
From the two press associations in Brixen/Bressanone and Bozen/Bolzano, each operating its own printing facilities, the publishing house Tyrolia GmbH emerges. During the First World War, the company’s headquarters are relocated to Innsbruck.
After the partition of Tyrol, Tyrolia begins publishing its own newspaper in Bozen under the name „Der Volksbote“, serving the German-speaking population of South Tyrol.
After acquiring the building at No. 41 under the Lauben - the historic arcades of Bozen/Bolzano - the bookshop is opened there.
Canon Michael Gamper, who had already been a valued contributor to Tyrolia even before the First World War, assumes leadership of the South Tyrolean branch of the Tyrolia publishing house.
During the era of Fascism, German-language newspapers in South Tyrol are subjected to forced renaming and temporary bans. At the end of 1926, "Dolomiten" is allowed to reappear as a Catholic German-language newspaper, restoring a vital voice for the South Tyroleans.
The publishing house Tyrolia faces repeated name changes under political pressure: first in 1925 to „Verlagsanstalt Vogelweider“, and later, in 1936, to „Verlagsanstalt Athesia.“
The Second World War brings even harsher trials. In 1943, Athesia’s operations are seized by the National Socialists. Canon Michael Gamper is forced into exile, while leading editors are deported to the Dachau concentration camp.
Athesia is able to resume operations. From 19 May, the Dolomiten is once again published regularly as a daily newspaper for German-speaking South Tyroleans.
Toni Ebner becomes Director of Athesia and, in 1956 - following the death of Canon Michael Gamper – also Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper "Dolomiten".
The new Athesia building on Weinbergweg/Via del Vigneto in Bozen/Bolzano enters into operation. The printing plant is relocated to this location from the city centre (Museumstraße), and subsequently, the editorial office also moves to the site. The construction of the new bookbinding facility is completed in 1982.
The new book and stationery shop in Brixen/Bressanone is opened.
Following the unexpected early death of Toni Ebner, Peter Plattner takes over as Director of Athesia.
Josef Rampold becomes Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper "Dolomiten".
Newspaper printing is digitised, bringing the era of lead typesetting to an end. Three years later, a new six-colour offset printing machine is introduced, followed by the new UNIMAN rotary press in 1988.
From 1985 onwards, the weekly supplement "Dolomiten-Magazin" appeares, followed two years later by the "Wirtschaftskurier" (a weekly supplement covering economic issues) and, in 1989, the Sunday newspaper "Zett".
The establishment of the paper wholesale business further diversifies the company's business divisions.
Athesia gains a foothold in the tourism sector. A merger gives rise to the travel agencies „Alpina Tourdolomit“, which are fully integrated into the Athesia Group in the mid-1990s.
The large new stationery shop on Goethestraße in Bozen/Bolzano city centre opens.
Michl Ebner takes over as Director of the Athesia Group.
Toni Ebner Jr. becomes Editor-in-Chief of the daily newspaper „Dolomiten“. Some pages of the „Dolomiten“ appear in colour for the first time.
The „Dolomiten“ newspaper goes online for the first time, and a year later the online news portal stol.it is launched.
Following its investment in, and subsequent takeover of, the internet and IT service provider D.Net, Athesia plays a key role in the digitalisation of the South Tyrolean media landscape during this period.
As co-founder of Brennercom AG, Athesia continues to expand the information and communication technology sector. Sale of Brennercom AG in 2020.
In 2004, the former publishing house Verlagsanstalt Athesia GmbH was converted into a public limited company (AG).
With the district newspapers „QuiMedia“, Athesia expands its media offering to Italian-speaking audiences.
The aveo tours brand offers holiday packages with direct flights from Bozen/Bolzano. Group trips with charter flights from Bozen/Bolzano have been organised since 2001.
With the founding of Athesia Energy GmbH, Athesia enters the renewable energy sector with bioenergy, photovoltaic and wind power plants in northern and southern Italy.
Athesia acquires a 50% stake in Hotel Terme Merano Srl
At the new logistics centre in Bozen/Bolzano South, wholesale activities in office supplies, paper, and stationery are consolidated. In the preceding years, several companies are acquired, including Grafus and Fotrans, followed by Loeff System in 2010. In 2015, the company acquired a stake in Canins GmbH, a leading supplier of packaging materials for the food industry.
The new Colorman XXL rotary press goes into operation: another quantum leap in terms of quality and speed in newspaper printing.
In the same year, the Athesia Group takes over the Tappeiner publishing house.
Athesia acquires shares in the Schnalstaler Gletscherbahnen AG, and becomes the majority shareholder in 2018. Extensive investments follow, aimed at further developing the Alpin Arena Schnals as a destination for sports and nature enthusiasts and as an economic driver, while ensuring its long-term viability.
The acquisition of the former KV&H Verlag publishing house marks the company's entry into the international calendar business. Through Athesia Kalenderverlag GmbH, Athesia is now the market leader in German-speaking region and also distributes puzzles for adults internationally.
With the acquisition of a majority stake in SETA SpA, the publisher of the daily newspapers „Alto Adige“ and „Trentino“, Athesia also becomes a leading player in the regional Italian-language media market. Two years later, SIE SpA publiher of the daily newspaper „l'Adige“ as well as the private broadcaster Radio Dolomiti, join Athesia. With the acquisition of the agency MediaAlpi, Athesia also expands into the advertising market for local Italian-language media.
Athesia acquires the ancient Castel Fahlburg in Prissian (South Tyrol), which opens as a unique event location in 2024 after extensive, careful renovation.
With the Hotel Villa Capri in Gardone Riviera, directly on the western shore of Lake Garda, Athesia acquires another hotel in an exclusive location.
The 50-year-old glacier cable car in the Alpin Arena Schnals/Senales is completely rebuilt and put into operation. The following year will see the complete renovation of the valley station and the construction of a modern restaurant.
The renovation and expansion of the Athesia building on Museumstraße in the centre of Bozen/Bolzano is completed. The former site of the printing plant and administrative offices now house commercial premises and rental apartments.
The travel agency SOLENEVE Viaggi is joinging the Athesia Group.
Towards the end of the year, Athesia acquires the Sporthotel Kurzras in the Schnalstal valley.
E&E Holding & Consulting GmbH takes over the management and coordination of the Athesia Group.
Elmar Pichler Rolle is appointed Editor-in-Chief of the „Dolomiten“ newspaper.
The new high-performance Speedmaster XL printing press is put into operation. Two years earlier, a digital printing press was purchased for small and medium-sized print runs and for high-quality, personalised print products.
Hotel Therme Meran GmbH, in which Athesia holds a 50% stake, is acquiring the Hotel Wiesenhof in Algund/Lagundo.
By acquiring the remaining 50% of shares in Funkhaus Südtirol GmbH, RMI GmbH and RMS GmbH, Athesia is strengthening its broadcasting area. Athesia already owned a 50% stake in the broadcasting company, which operates the Südtirol 1 and Radio Tirol stations, as well as RMI's Südtirol Journal news programme. In 2026, Athesia will also acquire the remaining 50 per cent, thereby strengthening the broadcasting division within the group.
The private radio stations of Bartls Holding GmbH – comprising Die Antenne Südtirol, Radio 2000, Radio Edelweiss and Stadtradio Bozen – will also be integrated into the group in 2026.
