Prettau, which is situated in the upper part of the Ahrntal, the most north-eastern corner of South Tyrol, has been an administratively independent village since 1957. Its natural surroundings make Prettau a remote place: the Zillertaler Alps and the Krimmler Tauern Mountain Range surround the village on three sides, the so called "Klamm" obstruct the way to the lower parts of the valley and to neighbouring Ahrntal. A mining museum in a tunnel under the Rötspitze Mountain shows the former importance of copper mining in the area. One tunnel is used for the treatment of patients suffering from respiratory diseases. Prettau is famous for the production of bobbin, which used to be an important source of income for poor families. Today there is a school, where one can learn the production of bobbin.