At the gateway to the South Tyrolean Wine Road: Nalles in the Burgraviato region, famous for its roses
On the road from Bolzano to Merano, about halfway along, a village stretches up the hillside to the left. Away from the traffic, it lies nestled among orchards and vineyards. The mild climate of the Merano valley basin even allows olives and lemons to thrive. Nalles is particularly famous for its abundance of roses.
The narrow lanes and the flowers blooming everywhere have earned the southernmost municipality of the Burgraviato region the nickname "Rose Village". Here, the Merano region merges into the South Tyrolean Wine Road, one of Italy’s oldest wine regions, extending through Appiano, Caldaro and Termeno to Salorno in the very south of South Tyrol, on the border to the Autonomous Province of Trentino.
The Rose Village loves a celebration: The "Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race" MTB race in spring is followed every two years by the vintage motorcycle race for the International South Tyrolean Mountain Prize and the village festival in midsummer. The festival grounds are located on the edge of the village, where you'll also find the sports facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool and riding stables.
Furthermore, the municipality extends to Sirmiano and Sirmiano di Sopra above Nalles, two small villages that are popular destinations for Toerggelen in autumn. A characteristic of the municipality is the blend of modern buildings and charming old structures. One of these is Schwanburg Castle from the 13th century with its distinctive loggias. It once housed South Tyrol's oldest private winery, whose cellars even contained barrels from the time of Maria Theresa.
Today, Schwanburg Castle serves as an administrative building for an agricultural business. Another historic manor house, the Stachelburg Castle boasting elements of early Renaissance, invites you to enjoy culinary delights and South Tyrolean wines in its vaulted cellars.
