Forts & Castles in the Dolomites regions

The Wandelhalle, Merano’s iconic covered promenade, was built between 1864 and 1866 – even before the heyday of the Belle Époque. Today, it ranks among the city’s most culturally and historically significant landmarks. As one of the earliest examples of representative spa architecture in the Habsburg Monarchy, it also marks an important architectural transition: bridging the refined classicism of late Biedermeier with the emerging Jugendstil, distinguished by ornamental motifs and vivid wall paintings.

This light-filled colonnade follows the curve of the Winter Promenade along the Passer river – offering a shady retreat on warm summer days and a sun-drenched path for winter strolls. Initially met with public resistance, the project was championed by Merano’s visionary mayor, Valentin Haller, who saw in it the potential to redefine the town as a modern spa destination. He persisted – and prevailed. By 1891, the Wandelhalle had evolved into an open-air gallery, adorned with busts, commemorative plaques, and sweeping landscape paintings by local artists such as Lenhart, Complojer, and Demetz – celebrating South Tyrol’s natural beauty in painterly form.

Architecturally, the structure is a gem of 19th-century ironwork: its delicate cast-iron framework was produced by the acclaimed Viennese foundry Griedel, echoing the design language of Otto Wagner’s urban rail stations and the early Paris Métro. The arcade stretches nearly 100 metres, inviting passers-by to linger, promenade, or enjoy a concert beneath its sheltering arches.

Today, the Wandelhalle is a beloved public space in Merano: mornings begin with espresso at the adjacent café overlooking the Passer, while Saturdays bring a bustling flea market that attracts artists, collectors, and curious strollers. The venue also plays host to regular open-air concerts and cultural events, continuing the tradition of spa music that once defined Merano’s elegant leisure culture.

For younger visitors, the Wandelhalle offers a uniquely atmospheric encounter with history, nature, and art – a place where riverside flair and artistic expression come together in the open air. It also marks the start of several scenic routes: from here, the Kurpromenade leads past Art Nouveau villas, the Kurhaus, and on to the Tappeiner Promenade or the Steinerner Steg.

The Wandelhalle is also rich in anecdote: in the 19th century, it was a favourite gathering place for so-called “whey cure guests”, who would stroll here in the early morning light – fasting, breathing the fresh air, and accompanied by gentle music known as Molkenkonzerte.

At its centre stands the Hall of Honour, still bearing busts of historical figures – among them Duke Karl Theodor, brother of Empress Elisabeth and a practising ophthalmologist in Merano. The Wandelhalle thus offers not only aesthetic pleasure, but also quiet traces of the town’s storied past – captured in cast iron, paint, and sunlight.

A steep path starts near the "Carabinieri" training centre in Vallunga and heads up to the castle ruins. Built at the beginning of the 13th century, it collapsed in 1525 and has never been rebuilt. It has been owned by the Wolkenstein family since the 14th century. Oswald von Wolkenstein, a famous minstrel and poet born in South Tyrol between 1376 and 1387, died in Merano 1445, probably spent his summers in the castle.

Access at your own risk. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Structure built on L-shaped plan consisting of two wings. The residential building to the north, facing the
road, dates from the Middle Ages as indicated by regular stone layers and corner blocks. It is topped by
a late-medieval extension that is linked to the core building under a single gable roof. The upper floor
features Renaissance fixtures: a panelled room with coffered ceiling, dentil friezes and a wall closet
dating from 1628. Immediately to the northeast is a round-arched entrance to the courtyard.
The south-facing wing has a passage with vaulting cells at ground level; an outside staircase in the
courtyard runs round a corner to the first floor. Topped with hip roof.

The medieval Schoneck Castle is located 958 meters above sea level and is said to be the birthplace of the famous poet and playwright Oswald von Wolkenstein (1377-1445), although this has not been historically proven . It is believed that the ruins of Pacherhof, birthplace of famous artist and sculptor Michael Pacher, are also nearby. Schöneck Castle was built in the mid-13th century by the Dukes of Rödeneck; The first mention of this complex dates back to 1155 and 1164.

Over time, it became the property of the Tyrolean counts, and Engelmar von Willanders later became the owner of the Schoneck estate. Today, not only the cathedral is preserved, but also fragments of the palace, ruins of the chapel and fragments of the historic wall. In the ruins of the castle chapel there is also a fresco by master Michael Pacher. The castle is private property and inaccessible. Today, there is also a restaurant of the same name nearby.

The castle is private property and may not be entered.

As early as 1891, there were plans to construct a railway between Ora and the Val di Fiemme Valley in order to improve accessibility and stimulate the economy. The Val di Fiemme railway line was built during World War I. Between 1918 and 1936, it was used mainly for transporting goods. It connected Auer/Ora with Predazzo. The segment between Auer and San Lugano is still in good condition. Nowadays, it is a very nice hike and cycle path which leads through the beautiful mountain landscape of the Trudner Horn Nature Park and is especially worthwhile due to the views of the South Tyrolean Unterland region.

Located in the heart of Merano, the Puccini Theatre is a magnificent example of Art Nouveau architecture and a beloved venue for cultural life in South Tyrol. Designed by Munich architect Martin Dülfer and completed between 1899 and 1900, the theatre reflects the refined taste and creative spirit of an era when Merano was a celebrated spa town and meeting place for the European elite.

The façade enchants with its blend of classical proportions and Art Nouveau flourishes, while the interior reveals exquisite stucco details, elegant marble features, and a spectacular auditorium with 296 plush salmon-colored velvet seats. An elegant first-floor foyer and a terrace overlooking the surrounding townscape add to the theatre´s timeless charm – especially on warm summer evenings.

The theatre opened its doors on December 1, 1900, with a performance of Goethe’s Faust, and quickly established itself as a cultural epicenter, hosting up to 250 performances per year. In 1923, the venue was renamed Teatro Puccini in honor of the famous composer Giacomo Puccini, who visited Merano that same year.

Yet the theatre´s path was not without challenges: after serving as a cinema during and after World War II, the building fell into decline and suffered a devastating fire in the 1960s. It wasn’t until 1978 that it was lovingly restored and reopened, reclaiming its role as a premier stage for performing arts.

Today, the Puccini Theatre is run by the Merano City Theatre and Kurhaus Association and ranks among South Tyrol’s most distinguished historic theatres. With a vibrant program that ranges from classic dramas and operas to contemporary performances and concerts, it continues to inspire artists and audiences alike. A visit promises not only cultural enrichment, but also a journey into Merano’s illustrious past.

The Castle Ehrenburg was the residence of the Sirs von Ehrenburg, who were later called von Künigl. It was built in the 12th century. During the 15th century, the castle was extended, and in the year 1512, it was extended again with the arcade yard. In the year 1732, it was converted into a baroque castle. The big hall, the bay windows, the wooden paneling, and the paintings on the ceiling, as well as the castle chapel are very remarkable. The castle is not open to visitors.

Only visible from the outside.

Located between the Bolzano Town Gate and the Postbrücke – once spanning the wild waters of the Passer river – Sandplatz Square marks a graceful transition into Merano’s layered past. From here, winding alleyways lead into the historic Steinach district, whose weathered façades whisper tales of centuries gone by. Once a sandy riverbank and later a lively hub for salt trade and postal routes, Sandplatz has long stood at the crossroads of commerce, culture, and everyday life.

At its centre rises one of the city’s oldest monuments: the Baroque Marian column. A symbol of protection and belonging, it has served as a place of pause and reflection for generations. Nearby, a small fountain murmurs beneath façades dating from the Wilhelminian and Art Nouveau eras. Today, Sandplatz is both a local gathering place and a popular stop for visitors entering the city via the Bolzano Town Gate – a site where shopping, strolling, and cultural curiosity converge.

One architectural gem is the former Hotel Erzherzog Johann – later renamed “Esplanade” – an elegant showcase of 19th-century hospitality that also housed Merano’s main post office until 1913. Today, the building has been carefully restored and is home to boutiques and cafés. Across the square stands the stately Ansitz Hohensaal, which later became the seat of the Institute of the English Ladies, now flanked by the neo-Gothic Sacred Heart Church consecrated in 1904 and serving as a youth church since 2017.

Sandplatz remains a place of lively exchange: every Saturday, local farmers and artisans gather here for the weekly market, offering fresh produce, specialties, and regional flair. At the same time, the square is an ideal starting point for exploring the city: the medieval arcades, the Kurhaus palace, the riverside promenades, or the paths leading to the Gardens of Rametz Castle and Trauttmansdorff.

Sandplatz Square is more than just a stop along the way – it’s a vibrant part of Merano’s identity. A place where history is alive, architecture speaks, and new stories are written every day. 

Two-storey building from the 17th century. Stone-framed, round-arched portal on façade with sandstone-
framed double-arched window (bifora) above. A marble plaque with Latin inscription and chronogram at

the entrance to the courtyard recalls the 1765 encounter of Francis I and his royal daughter-in-law
Elisabeth, the Infanta (princess) of Spain.

The Postbrücke is one of Merano’s most refined architectural statements – a bridge that embodies the elegance of floral Art Nouveau while connecting key parts of the historic centre. Constructed in 1909 at the request of local merchants, it was designed to replace an ageing wooden bridge and improve the flow of people and goods between the lively Sandplatz Square and the then still-growing districts across the Passer.

From the outset, this was more than just a practical structure – it was a symbol of modernity and urban refinement. The bridge rests on three evenly spaced piers and features two graceful, low-lying arches made of reinforced concrete – a cutting-edge material at the time. What gives the bridge its charm, however, are the decorative elements: delicately wrought white-painted railings with gilded floral details, finely modelled lanterns, and balustrades proudly engraved with the year 1909. These artistic flourishes evoke the spirit of early 20th-century craftsmanship and lend the bridge its unmistakable character.

Today, the Postbrücke is much more than a river crossing. It is a cherished meeting place for locals and visitors alike. People pause here to enjoy views of the surrounding mountains, to watch the river’s flow, or to move between the leafy Winter and Summer Promenades on one side, and the arcaded old town and Sandplatz Square on the other.

Recent restoration work has returned the Postbrücke to its original splendour: the bridge deck, railings, and embellishments now gleam once more, often adorned with fresh seasonal flowers. It stands not only as a monument to a bygone aesthetic, but as a vibrant part of Merano’s everyday life.

The bridge continues to mirror the town’s pulse – from the movement of goods in centuries past to today’s urban rhythm. For those who seek to experience Merano’s cultural and architectural soul, the Postbrücke is not just a route, but a destination.   

Andreas-Hofer-Street owes its name to the South Tyrolean patriot who led the 1809 uprising against Napoleon. When arrested in 1810, Andreas Hofer was imprisoned in the Neumarkt/Egna prison on the night of January 30th before being transferred to Mantua to be executed. The old court prisons are found at house number 28; originally property of the lords of Enn and Caldiff, they remained in use until 1830. Today, the building is in private hands, but on the ground floor, two cells with cross vaults remain, and plaque commemorating the illustrious guest marks the façade.

 

Here used to be the farm at Ziggl, first mentioned in 1541 as the property of Franz Seemann von Mangern, later as the property of the Barons von Coreth. In 1798 Bartlme von Hebenstreit sold it to the court clerk Anton Teiss. In 1820 Michael Rizzoll acquired the farm; the majority of the estates were separated in the process. In 1862 it went to Katharina Rizzolli and in 1871 to the grocer Mathias Pfitscher. In 1880, he sold it to the municipality. From 1889 onwards, the school building was erected in the lower part, the upper part being the community hall until the first half of the 20th century. Today, this house houses various social institutions, a primary school, library, flats for the elderly and the doctor's ambulatory.

 Inside the house there are numerous cross vaults, and the doors and windows are mostly stone-framed. The sandstone for these openings was once quarried in the surrounding area, for example in Kalditsch.

Once the "Wirtshaus am Steg". In 1523 the Leb family lived here. Ulrich Leb, called Uez, was a master tailor. In 1568, a bakery with master baker Hans Taz is mentioned for the first time on the lower floor. On the upper floor is the inn, which was probably run as such until the first half of the 17th century. Attempts to make it an inn again in 1670 and 1699 were successfully stopped by the then existing inns "Am Löwen" and "An der Rose" with reference to the few guest houses. After numerous changes of ownership in the following decades, several doctors of wounds moved in here one after the other from 1774 onwards. Only with the Wegscheider family, who have owned the house for several generations, does this place regain its former purpose and become a village bakery and also an inn again.

The two oculi in the attic are remarkable. These openings, also called "ox eyes", are still a widespread element in the façades of historic houses in Montan today.

Located in the southern part of Merano’s old town, the Bolzano Gate is a well-preserved remnant of medieval urban architecture. Constructed in the 14th century, it once served as the city's southern entrance and remains one of three surviving gates in Merano today. The gate’s name reflects its orientation toward Bolzano, the present-day capital of South Tyrol. A fourth gate, the Ultimo Gate, originally stood on Freiheitsstraße street but was later relocated further west before being demolished in 1884.
The Bolzano Gate is a three-story tower crowned by a steeply pitched gable roof. Its southern façade is adorned with a stone relief of the double-headed eagle – the emblem of the Habsburgs – alongside the coats of arms of Austria, Tyrol, and Merano. These heraldic elements underscore Merano’s historical role within the Habsburg monarchy.
Originally, the gate was part of an extensive city wall system built between the 14th and 17th centuries. This fortification enclosed the city center and parts of the Steinach district, serving both as protection from external threats and as a means of regulating trade. Over the centuries, sections of the wall were rebuilt multiple times, particularly after destructive floods caused by the Passer River. The Bolzano Gate stands at Sandplatz square – a square named after the sandy deposits of the Passer River. Nearby is the former Hotel Erzherzog Johann, later known as Hotel Esplanade, which has since been restored and now houses shops and public offices.
Today, the Bolzano Gate is not only an architectural landmark but also an active part of the cityscape. It forms a symbolic and physical threshold between the modern parts of Merano and its historic core, with its medieval arcades, boutiques, and cafés. A visit to the Bolzano Gate offers both a glimpse into the city’s medieval heritage and a vibrant entry point into the daily life of the old town.

The Strassberg castel ruin lies on a hill near Gossensass/Colle Isarco and is a real landmark. It was first mentioned in 1280 and for a long time local seat of the regional government and court of justice. The decline started in the 17th century. The ruin is privately owned and can only be visited from the outside.