The first school Museum in Italy and the first museum in Europe dedicated to the school life of ethnic minorities is found in Bolzano. The museum’s exhibition showcases ideologies as well as educational and teaching methods used over time in South Tyrol, a complex region with an eventful history. Old school desks, as well as registries, certificates, writing books and records of punishments, are all preserved. The museum is a trip back in time, to those days when our grandparents and great-grandparents went to school.
The historic arcades of Bolzano bear testament to the fact that the town has been an important trading centre for hundreds of years. Even today, they represent the pulsing heart of Bolzano and retain their charm to this day, inviting visitors to explore them.
Museum and meeting place - that’s Bolzano’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The quaint coffee shop and the light-flooded building is an inviting place for visitors to spend some quality time. The Museion’s collection is composed of Italian neo-avantgarde with strong references to the central European cultural landscape. Changing thematic exhibitions complete the museum offer…
Situated at 560 m a.s.l. near San Genesio, about 4.5 km above Bolzano, there is an idyllic little church surrounded by vineyards: the St. George Chapel. From there you have an awesome view on the Dolomites and the rooftops of Bolzano. We have taken a look at it in autumn, from a bird’s eye view!
The South Tyrolean Museum of Archaeology, located in the Via Museo road in Bolzano, consists of three floors containing all information regarding the famous glacier mummy. The permanent exhibition showcases much more than the 5300-year-old Oetzi, the Iceman. Well-preserved clothing and tools that he carried with him can be seen as well as a fascinating insight into the lives of people that lived during the Neolithic period.
A little piece of paradise awaits you in the surroundings of Bolzano. The hike from San Giacomo near Laives to Aslago, one of the five quarters of Bolzano, is called “Pedemontana”, a trail which is perfect for the first warm days of spring or the last afternoons of autumn. It leads to Castel Flavon high above the rooftops of Bolzano.
Ever wonder what happens inside an anthill? Or how about looking into a 9,000-litre tank to find out what the Dolomites looked as coral reefs? The South Tyrol Museum of Nature, located in the Via dei Bottai road in Bolzano’s old town, takes its visitors on a natural and cultural journey through the region. Changing exhibitions make the museum the perfect place for all ages of visitors.
When we think of the word “cinema”, we immediately associate it with the latest blockbusters from Hollywood. However, South Tyrol also offers movie fans something special. While having been chosen as the location for many successful movies, South Tyrol also has another reason why it is so special in the film industry…
It is Bolzano’s landmark and dominates the central Piazza Walther square: the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral with its 65 m high steeple. The bishop’s church, built in Romanesque and Gothic style, houses many precious masterpieces. Some of them can be admired in the adjacent Bolzano Cathedral Treasury.
A beautiful hike leads to the ruin of Grifo Castle, also known as Greifenburg or “Sow Castle”. The excursion starts at the bus stop in San Maurizio near Bolzano and winds through vineyards, before getting steeper in the shrublands. The trail leads to Cologna, and further on to the ruin which lies like an eagle’s nest on a red porphyry rock high above Settequerce near Terlano.
Back in the 17th century, the Renon was the place of refuge from the hot summer months for Bolzano’s high society. Every since then, the high plateau has continued to be the favourite summer resort for some of Bolzano’s well-off citizens, comfortably reachable by the Renon Train, and nowadays by a modern cable car…
Mt. Colle di Bolzano, situated very close to the provincial capital of South Tyrol, has little traffic and an abundance of nature. The eponymous mountain village is an insider tip for people seeking peace and quiet.
Only the freshest products and local delicacies can be found at the Bolzano Farmer’s Markets. Here, the quality of the products can be verified by the excellent taste and flavours. Organic farming and exceptional quality are at the top of South Tyrol’s programme.
It is one of the most beautiful promenades of Bolzano: the Guncina Promenade, dedicated to the Archduke of Austria-Toscana. It starts from the quarter of Gries uphill on the sunny slopes of the Guncina hill. Join us on this Mediterranean walk!
The famous Bolzano Fruit Market lies in the heart of the town and offers many interesting attractions that are sometimes overlooked, at first glance. While the market is primarily used as a trading centre, it also functions as a meeting place for different cultures, where tourists and residents can enjoy the scents and sounds of a bustling marketplace. Take a stroll with us and experience this for yourself!
South Tyrol, the birthplace of Chestnut Hearts! It all began back in the autumn of 1948. We visit Klaus Scherer in the Patisserie Karin in Bolzano: he tells the history around the Chestnut Hearts and is the only master pastry chef worldwide knowing the original recipe. Come with us to the main town of South Tyrol!
The Monument to Victory in Bolzano has separated generations of South Tyroleans and split the society - an affront for some people, an identification point for other ones. Now there was a breakthrough in dealing with it by realising a Documentation Exhibition - the historicizing succeded. Is South Tyrol on the way to normality?
At Christmas, the most magical time of the year, Bolzano shows its best side: lights, aromas, sounds and colours can be seen, smelt, and heard in every corner of the town, especially in the historical centre where the Christmas Market can be found. Come with us and and follow us on our search for traditional and regional delicacies, and see the town from a unique side!
The mood of a summer sunset over the basin of Bolzano, from the late afternoon to the evening hours when the night comes over the town and the lights are switched on…
At the entrance to the Val Sarentino valley and on the outskirts of Bolzano, the ruin of Castel Rafenstein dominates Castel Runkelstein, the castle complex famous for its frescoes, and the town of Bolzano.
Italian elegance combined with South Tyrolean hospitality: come with us and enjoy a shopping day in the old town and under the ancient arcades of Bolzano. Especially the gorgeous architecture, the product diversity and the particular atmosphere on the Bolzano fruit market are fascinating. Take a break from everyday life with us!
Promenading along Mediterranean plants, enjoying the view on the beautiful town of Bolzano, retracing artistic gems of the region and letting yourselves in to the timeless atmosphere of a cemetery… these are only some of the activities you can choose from in Gries, a highly popular place not only in the Belle Époque. Today Gries is one of the most fascinating and authentic quarters of Bolzano.
On the one hand Bolzano, a famous town with many different faces - on the other hand Cobo, a globetrotter, inventive artist and owner of a likewise original venue in the centre of Bolzano, which is also the final stop of our wander through the town. In this walk we discover several secret facts regarding Bolzano that, except Cobo, hardly anyone is familiar with. From Dracula to Saint Francis, from the Teutonic Knights to Boccaccio - a short but enthusing tour.
His worldwide experiences are decisive for Reinhold Messner’s museum concept: 5 Messner Mountain Museums (MMM) are spread all over South Tyrol, one is located in the neighbouring province of Belluno. The MMM Firmian at Castel Firmiano near Bolzano, however, is the core, the centre of the project and focuses on the relationship between humans and mountains.
The South Tyrolean Wine Road stretches from Nalles to Bolzano, and via the Oltradige and the Bassa Atesina areas to Salorno. It comprises about 90% of the South Tyrolean wine production, including the typical varieties of wine such as the Merlot and Lagrein, as well as the Pinot gris and the Chardonnay. The one of South Tyrol is the most ancient wine road of Italy!
Chains of light, festoons, the sweet flavour of cinnamon and Christmas bakery in the air, solemn Christmas songs all over… this is how the centre of Bolzano presents itself in Christmas time.
Boasting a number of some 100,000 inhabitants and located almost in the centre of the region, the provincial chief city is located between 232 and 1,616 m asl. In fact, already millenniums ago the valley basin of Bolzano has been settled, the first settlement in this area was called “Bauzaunum”, probably named after the first settler “Bauzus”. In the 12th and 13th century people started building the city, the Mediaeval town that developed remained unchanged up to the 19th century. This was when Bolzano started becoming a tourism stronghold. Above all the quarter of Gries was famous on a worldwide scale as climatic spa.
Today Bolzano comprises five quarters, as well as the little mountain village of Colle di Villa. Particularly worth seeing is the historic town with its arcades. Moreover Bolzano is famous for its varied cultural attractions, such as the Iceman in the provincial Archaeological Museum or the specialized fairs regarding various topics taking place in the Bolzano fair centre. A total of seven museums as well as four castles and mansions can be experienced in the chief city. In the arcades, however, still today you can enjoy authentic the atmosphere of the “little large” city.
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