Medieval Glorenza, the smallest town of the Europe’s Southern Alps, holds many historical treasures
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Glorenza is an architectural gem: Its circuit wall, with three striking gate towers and a host of other defensive towers, forms the only completely preserved fortified wall system in the Alps. It encloses the town in the heart of the Malles Heath. This partially accessible town wall conceals atmospheric alleyways and nooks, 16th-century townhouses, and gardens behind white walls where pear trees and flowers grow.
Within the walls, there are also low, irregularly shaped arcades, and you will find sights such as the old Glorenza Town Mill by the stream. You can enter Glorenza through its town gates: the Church Tower on the Adige River to the south, which houses the Paul Flora exhibition, the Malles Gate to the north, and the Sluderno Gate Tower with its exhibition to the east. However, Glorenza's significance dates back even further.
The Roman Via Claudia Augusta passed through here, as did an old trade route to Switzerland. Over 700 years ago, during the time of Meinhard II of Tyrol, Glorenza was first granted market rights and then, in 1304, town privileges. It was also Meinhard II who moved St. Bartholomew's Market from Müstair to Glorenza. To this day, markets play an important role and are known as the Glorenza Arcade Markets: St. Bartholomew's Market in August and the "Sealamorkt" (All Souls' Market) at the beginning of November are the most important traditional markets.
Incidentally, the town has no districts but is divided into the inner town and the outer town, with settlements outside the circuit wall. It is therefore not surprising that Glorenza has served as a film set on several occasions and is listed in "I Borghi più belli d'Italia" (The most beautiful villages in Italy). This list, compiled by a private association, is also highly regarded beyond Italy. Glorenza is featured there with the note "700 years gracefully borne".
After all these impressions, do you fancy getting active? Glorenza is a good starting point for hikes along the historic irrigation channels and for cycle tours on the Via Claudia Augusta, which passes by the town gates. In winter, the cross-country ski trails of the Venosta Nordic network and the slopes in the Watles Skiing Area, located a few kilometres from the town, are really appealing.
