Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle

Undoubtedly the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle - "Gärten von Schloss Trauttmansdorff" in German, "Giardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff" in Italian - are one of the highlights of the spa town of Merano and among the most visited places in South Tyrol. Exploring these magnificient flower gardens is like travelling across the botanic world. The gardens enchant the visitors thanks to their extraordinary diversity as well as their harmonic ensemble: More than 80 garden landscapes are spread on a total surface of 12 hectares. The vegetation benefits from the mild climate of sun-spoilt Merano. There are four garden worlds: In the "Forests of the World" there are indigenous conifer forests from North America and East Asia, ferns, living fossils and rice and tea terraces. The section also includes an aviary with colourful birds and parrots.

The sunny slope extending beneath the castle - called "Sun Gardens" - is characterised by a rather Mediterranean flair and citrus fruits, cypresses and beguiling odours of lavander, salvia and rosemary. The "Landscapes of South Tyrol", however, reflect the varied local fauna. An indigenous downy oak forest, alluvial forests and chestnut forests characterise the landscape. This is also where the golden replica of a 7,000 year old grape pipe hides, a present of Georgia. Finally there are the "Water and Terraced Gardens" with their huge water lily pond and the lake stage, where every year in summer the famous open air concerts take place. Renaissance gardens, an English cottage and a maze as well as several artistic pavilions also enchant the visitors.

What you absolutely don't have to miss is the view from the amazing "Matteo Thun's Viewing Platform". On the occasion of the 10th birthday in 2011, in the "Most beautiful botanic garden of Italy" the Botanical Underworld was inaugurated, five years later, the new "Garden for Lovers" with was opened. In 2021, however, the Garden's annual theme "Diversity" has been honoured by the European Award for Ecological Gardening. And how to reach the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle? They are well signposted. A large parking space (subject to charge) is located opposite the entrance, furthermore the bus no. 4 or 1B stops here. The Sisi Path, however, leads you in a 45-minute walk from the centre of Merano to the botanic gardens.