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The Province of Bolzano is situated in the northernmost part of Italy on the border with Switzerland and Austria, and is part of the Alto-Adige Region. The eastern part of the territory includes the spectacular Dolomite mountain range and the district of Val Gardena Alpe di Siusi. The Dolomites and their valleys offer some of the most beautiful scenery in Italy and are a real paradise for skiing enthusiasts.
The western side is also characterised by mountains: the Alps and Mounts Cavedale and Ortles where you will find the National Park of Stelvio which encompasses conifer woods, grasslands, lakes, valleys and a pathway leading to the Passage of Stelvio, one of the highest passes in Europe.
The Province of Bolzano is dominated by its majestic scenery formed of nature in its purest state, and its picturesque small towns that are typical of a border area, where three cultures and languages live together in harmony: Italian, German and Ladin. This area boasts many jewels, of nature, the arts, traditions, and culinary specialities; the most representative places are: Merano with its thermal baths, Bressanone for art, and the Tyrol.
Surrounded by mountains and built in a natural basin Bolzano is a charming city with a blend of German and Mediterranean traditions which are visible in its architecture. Amongst the most important monuments are the Cathedral with the gothic bell tower, considered one of the most beautiful monuments in the region. The nearby Piazza Walther is famous for the Christmas Market, with its characteristic wooden houses offering amazing decorations, local specialities, and many products from the local craftsmen. The Archaeological Museum of Alto-Adige is a must see, with its finds and documentation of the history of this area from its origins to the early Middle Ages; its main attraction is Otzi, over 5000 years old, this mummified body was found in the ice of the Similaun glacier near the border between Italy and Austria.
Merano also deserves to be visited. Famous for its thermal baths and monuments like the Castello Principesco built in the fifteenth century; the sumptuous Trauttmansdorff Castle on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by colourful gardens with exotic Mediterranean plants. The castle is home to the Museum of Tourism, Touriseum, where you will have the chance to learn about the history of Tyrolean tourism.
Amongst the many interesting buildings, the Kurhaus stands out, a great art nouveau monument built at the beginning of 1900s it represents the role of Merano as a curative city.
In the neighbourhood you will find Castel Tirolo (11th-13th century) which is famous for its decor and its chapel with amazing frescoes, today it is the Museum of History and Culture of the Province of Bolzano.
Bressanone is a very important city in terms of the arts; its buildings are a fusion of Renaissance, Gothic and Rococo`. The city centre contains a remarkable artistic legacy including the Cathedral its frescoed cloister, the magnificent Palazzo dei Principi Vescovi home of the Diocesan Museum with a section dedicated to Presepe (Christmas creche scenes); and the Abbey of Novacella. Amongst the castles the most striking are: Castello Velturno which still has its original decorations and furniture, and Castel Rodengo overlooking the river Rienza.
Vipiteno is home to the beautiful Palazzo Comunale with extremely rich internal decorations and the Museum Multscher, in the nearby area you can admire the Racines Waterfalls.A real jewel is Val Pusteria with the picturesque village of Brunico with its Castle and Provincial Museum of the traditions of Tendone.
The province has many modern, fully equipped ski resorts with kilometres of pistes, from the Dolomites to Val Venosta including many well loved skiing and winter sports areas such as Val Senales and Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi; a real heaven for people who love skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating and snowshoe hiking. In addition, thanks to the glaciers of the Stelvio, you can ski in the summer as well.
The whole area offers great possibilities for hiking and climbing as well as cycling and mountain biking, and various other types of excursions. Other options are shopping for art crafts and culinary products such as wines, in fact, the territory of Bolzano if full of wineries and vineyards where you can taste and buy delicious wines.
For a relaxing holiday dedicated to well-being the thermal baths of Merano or the Cron4 centre in Riscone near Brunico are ideal. Typical events and festivals include: the Christmas Markets of Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, Vipiteno, and Brunico where you will have the chance to find many handcrafted products. Finally, another interesting event is the International Exhibition of Floriculture “Meranfiore” in Merano.
The culinary traditions of Bolzano, like so much else, are influenced by Austria, resulting in unusual dishes and flavours. Typical dishes include: “knödel”, ravioli alla pusterese, minestra di farinascottata, and polenta with venison. Tyrolean dishes are: canederli and Schlutzkrapfen (ravioli with spinach), venison goulash, carre of pork with sauerkraut, and also fish straight from the rivers and lakes. Amongst the cakes are: Strudel, Kaiserschmarren, chocolate cakes, crème cakes, ricotta cakes, zelten” of Bolzano (a Christmas cake made or dried fruits and sultanas). .Another typical dish is the “speck” (smoked dried ham) of Alto Adige. The area is also well known for itsproduction of good wines such as: Lagrein, Santa Maddalena, Traminer, Red of Bressanone, Pinot and Cabernet.
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