Brennero

Between Austria and Italy, there is Passo del Brennero, an important pass for transit from north to south.

Brennero is the locality, which since 1919, after WW1, is located at the border of Austria and Italy, in other words between North and South Tyrol. The locality of Brennero is actually part of the municipality of Colle Isarco, but due to the fact that Brennero is located in very strategic position it is much more in the centre of attention.

Located at an altitude of 1,374 m asl, Brennero is the lowest pass of the Alpine devide of the Austrian Central Alps.

Since early Roman history, the Brennero has represented an important connection between north and south. In 48 AD the Romans expanded the border town and about 150 years later the key position has again been emphasised with a further enlargement. For the international transport Passo del Brennero, particularly the four-lane motorway, is a very important junction.

An A-Road as well as a B-Road as well as a railway line complete the offer. Coming from Munich or Innsbruck, you have to cross the Brennero in order to reach Bolzano and northern Italy.

On the right and left of Passo del Brennero, there are two mountain chains, which represent the water devide between Sill and Isarco as well as the main water devide between Adriatic Sea and Black Sea.

The origin of the name “Brennero” is rather unknown, but some documents reveal possible origins.
In the 13^th century the locality at the Brennero used to be called “Mittenwald”, and often also the name “Vallis Tridentina” appears. At the end of the 13^th century, there was also a farm called “Hof des Prennerius”, whose owner in 1299 called himself “Chunradus Prenner de Mittenwalde”. At the end of the Mediaeval and at the beginning of the modern period the name “Mons Brennerus” became apparent. Probably this is where the name comes from.