What is Villnoss ?

Villnoss is in South Tyrol, Italy, within the Dolomites mountain range, where Reinhold Messner was born and keeps a house. He returns there occasionally during the book, to visit his parents and to stay in his home as he prepares for a lecture tour or a mountain-climbing expedition. Messner credits the mountainous landscape of Villnoss and his early climbing experiences with developing his fascination for mountaineering.