Glurns/Glorenza

Not only is Glurns South Tyrol's smallest city, but it's also among the so-called  "I Borghi più belli d'Italia" - Italy's most beautiful villages - an association that aims at valorizing small towns' historical and artistic heritage. 

Founded some 700 years ago, Glurns played an important role as a fortress and trading centre over the centuries. Protected within walls, there are still three fortified towers that surround the picturesque buildings of this medieval city. The Schluderns gate tower illustrates the history of Glurns. On the Mühlbach river, which branches off from the Etsch river, there is also a historic town mill.

Although this city in the Vinschgau valley has features that are predominantely from the Middle Ages , since 2011 a permanent exhibition in honor of  Paul Flora, a cartoonist and draftsman born in Glurns, has been housed in the church tower.

In the midst of this historic environment, visitors will find a modern building just outside the city walls, a 13 by 13 meter cube. It is the headquarters of PUNI, the first whisky distillery in Italy, built in 2012 by architect Werner Tscholl.

Buildings renovated with extreme care are in harmony with modern architecture. A ring wall from the Middle Adges still encloses the trading centre. Glurns is a place where you can walk in the footsteps of a long history and breathe the festive atmosphere of Christmas. At the Glurns Advent market, you'll take hadmade gifts home and discover the local specialties of the Vinschgau valley. Not far away from the magic of Christmas, you'll have the chance to walk inside shops and cosy inns during your shopping experience in South Tyrol's cities.