Architektura historyczna

Under Mussolini in the 1930s, Italian factory workers were settled in a garden city called the Semirurali. These very simple houses with gardens for self-sufficiency were demolished in the postwar period, and replaced by modern residential buildings. The new complex tried not to distribute and make freely accessible the individual residential buildings around the property but rather to plan squares and streets in accordance with the existing “rules of urban design.” In the spaces between, contiguous rows of buildings were built. They border the streets and squares, as was common in the cities before the relaxed construction of modern times gave up these norms. In spite of the row construction, the buildings stand out as individual homes because of the arrangement of loggias and glass coverings as the color scheme, and thereby convey a feeling of identity.

 

This unusual house is situated amongst a quite standard new village architecture. It consists of two sections: one constructed from parts of a 300-year-old farmhouse in which the farmer's and architect's family have been living for centuries, and another new building that crouches under the large tree trunks. The idea to live under mounted tree trunks came to the architect when he was a child playing in the woods, and he subsequently made it a reality. The stacked, untreated tree trunks do not hide a dingy living space beneath, but rather glass walls and openings that create an artful play of light when inside. In addition many other materials were used, from rough concrete mixed with glass shards to the extremely shiny stainless steel kitchen. A highly imaginative design here from the architect.

Pure - simple - Emotion. A small breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshing home-made lemonades and after-work drinks. Everything is local and seasonal. The restaurant has a charming outdoor area under a pergola and two traditional Stuben. Ambiente Award 2021 & Monocle Award 2019.

At the "Ansitz Romani", there is a small atmospheric restaurant, managed by your host Armin Pernstich in person and in which you can select from the delicate dishes of the sophisticated regional cuisine and from refined Italian dishes. Exquisite dishes, a glass of fine wine and the special atmosphere of the historic rooms and the picturesque inner courtyard make an evening in the "Taberna Romani" a wonderfully enjoyable experience.

Whether you are having a well-earned stop for refreshments on a day trip or a leisurely evening after a long day’s hiking, the hungry and thirsty alpinist is in the right place here.

Tasting and sale of wines from Tenutae Lageder, grow using biodynamic methods, and from Alois Lageder, as well as from selected native wineries of Italy, France and other countries. Also: spirits, oils and culinary specialities.

Copper was once mined in the Aurina/Ahrntal Valley, and even today the tunnels can be visited and are used for the medicinal purpose of relieving asthma. The granary next to the church in Steinhaus has long served for the storage of food, with which the miners were partially remunerated. In 2000, it was rebuilt into a museum in order to exhibit the Enzenberg Collection comprising wood models, paintings, mine maps, documents and finds from the mines at Predoi/Prettau. In addition to a pavilion as foyer, which is made of a steel structure with stone slabs and connected with the exhibition rooms through a glass atrium, the renovation operation focused mainly on the central section of the elongated building structure. A wooden staircase, lift access, emergency stairs, and sanitary facilities were also installed here. The encased staircase represents a type of watershed between everyday life and the world of the museum.

 

In the middle of the old town of Brixen, a little hidden, you can find what you’re looking for: conviviality, down-to-earth folks, high passion. No frills. Just a simple restaurant. The secret of our Chefs? A bit of nostalgia for grandma's kitchen, a good dose of creativity and, above all, a lot of love for food. That's all. We rely on newly discovered recipes, well-tried traditions, always fresh and regional ingredients. And beer...we love it! The pale, the cloudy, the red, the dark ones. And because we love it so much, you can also find it in our aperitif and cocktails. You love it too? We have to meet! Grab a seat at the bar, in the beer garden or the courtyard and enjoy the time with your loved ones. The little ones are happy too: A playground, a children's menu and family atmosphere make children's eyes light up and the restaurant a location for the whole family. Cheers!

Located in Corso Libertà right in front of the main entrance of the Kurhaus, the restaurant ale-house Forsterbräu is a recognised landmark both for residents and tourists, thanks to its traditional cuisine, which can be enjoyed from lunchtime until late in the evening and above all for its eight different sorts of draught beer. There is one main dining room, several charming typical Stube and - during the warm season - the refreshing indoor garden with its chestnut trees. Up to 500 people can eat and drink at the same time and during the month of December you may taste the special Christmas beer. The unmissable Beer Feast has become a tradition and takes place every year during the third weekend of September, with good live music, outstanding meals and pints and pints of fresh Forst beer!

The contemporary longing for nature and sports in the city influenced the thinking of the Fascist municipal government of Bolzano/Bozen and, as a result, had an outdoor swimming complex built on the banks of the Isarco/Eisack River. From a horticultural viewpoint, the site was designed as a striking landscape architecture within the urban area. The buildings show the influence of the Italian rationalist thought of those years, oriented towards the Bauhaus. Clear functionality and a design that is both reduced and concentrated on the essential, avoided Fascist monumentality of any kind. The plastered entrance building with its sweeping terrace section shows expressive motifs that do not deny the influence of the Gmunden outdoor pool by Franz Gessner, a student of Otto Wagner's. Although this architecture seemed strange to the South Tyroleans of the day, it is nevertheless of lasting quality.

The mansion called ‚Wassererhof‘ is located on the foot of the Schlern close to a nearby wellspring. The homestead dates back to the year 1366. In 1996, the father of the twins Andreas and Christoph Mock bought the run-down homestead. After a renovation, the homestead has become an amazing ensemble of buildings emitting a sense of gentleness supported by an expressive architecture. Now the Wassererhof is a winery and a ‘Buschenschank’ (a traditional seasonal farm inn) with familiar management. The two brothers cooperate, helping each other with solidarity and this is the guarantee of their success. Andreas is the cook. The traditional cuisine is his top priority: fresh, homemade and surprisingly refined. The twin Christoph is the farmer and the winemaker of the Wassererhof. For generations they have broadened their knowledge in wine culture both in the vineyards and in the winery with the objective to press a wine of outstanding quality and taste.

Today "The Krone" is a favouriste adress for gourmets who know how to appreciate natural regional cuisine based on products from its won farm.

Sigmundskron is a symbol found in South Tyrol's early history. It was first mentioned in 945 and was built into a fortress in 1473 by Duke Sigmund. In 1996 the ruins were taken over by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen and in 2003 they were handed over to Reinhold Messner to be transformed into the Messner Mountain Museum. The preservation of the character and protection of the ruins was the main concern during the conversion building works. The steel constructions which were developed for this purpose were positioned at a distance with as few contact points as possible with the outer stone walls and the interior of the towers and rooms, so that these seemingly light architectural elements can be removed at any time. The design of these sections of the building has been kept as simple as possible, and they are clearly set apart from the historical parts of the building. This allows for a distinct demarcation of the old and the new.

The Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit is one of Merano’s most important spiritual centers and art monuments. So it was deliberately a provocation towards the German-speaking religious population when the city’s fascist Italian-speaking government built its Casa del Fascio right next door, in order to obstruct the view of the historical church as you approach the old town. Even worse, the old hospital had to be demolished to make way for the new construction. Despite this architectural history, which is rather inglorious for the Italians, the building ranks among the masterpieces of Italian rationalism, architecturally speaking. The widely visible open tower, the horizontally layered facades, the bands of brick and loosened floor plan make this building one of the most interesting construction works of its time.

Even from far away, the bright white abbey perched on a hill above Burgeis catches the eye. Founded in 1000, it has been one of South Tyrol’s most important spiritual centers since the twelfth century. “Ora et labora” is the Benedictine motto and also the name of the museum housed within the former farm buildings. The old walls were cleaned and stabilized to this end, left largely in their original state and expanded by a second level of modern interior design. While the walls remained rough and  unplastered, new mountings of glass and dark steel were placed in front of them and at a distance − so that the changes between the late thirteenth century and today are easy to deduce. The artworks and exhibits shed light on the monastery’s development. Upstairs, guest areas and seminar spaces have been created as well.

The food is great, the pizza is excellent, the relaxed atmosphere caters for any occasion. The Tarscher Wirt knows how to do what a typical village inn needs to be doing. 

The Fascist Youth GIL Buildings emerged in Merano/Meran, Bressanone/Brixen and Bolzano/Bozen in the 1930s according to designs by the architects Miozzo and Mansutti. Although in need of renovation, only the Bressanone structure has retained its original form. In Bolzano one of the most important buildings of Fascist Italy's rationalism period, a structure that had already been dilapidated, has been successfully repurposed. It was renovated and expanded through a competition. The fact that an Austrian architect achieved this, shows the overlap of cultures in Bolzano. The renovated, heritage-listed old building sections, painted in Tuscany red, were contrasted with a transparent building of glass and steel on a lightweight concrete structure, which also redefined the urban context with a vestibule, garden café and garden courtyard. The design of the interior spaces is just as light as that of the external appearance.

Restaurant and bistrot with summer garden. Refined typical dishes with mountain herbs and local products following the slow-food philosophy. Culinary weeks in spring and in autumn.

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. 

All of Caldaro’s best wines in one sweep! Enjoy top quality wines in a refined ambience which has been carefully furnished. For lunch and dinner they serve fine specialties as well as tasty appetizers to be combined to different, excellent wines.

A pavilion in the garden. An island of pleasure. Culinary delights, almost as beautiful as they taste. The creations of Manuel Ebner combine traditional flavours with modern and unexpected nuances. Each element looks like a work of art and every bite is an adventure for all senses. Surrounded by colorful vineyards, the green forest, fruit orchads and countless flowers, while tasting our culinary delicacies you will enjoy incomparable views: It’s simply the perfect setting for a perfect meal. The bar offers refreshments and exquisite coffee specialities in a modern feel-good atmosphere even in the afternoon.

Situated in the park of the Baroque seminary, Cusanus Academy emerged as a widely acclaimed South Tyrolean pioneer project in postwar architecture. The three-story building closes the courtyard, urbanistically speaking, behind the historical seminary building with the church. It interpreted a theme of Bressanone’s Old Town in a contemporary way: arcades and bays run down the whole length of the eastern facade. The materials, exposed concrete and hard-burnt brick, consistently shape both the outer shell and the interiors with a quality that, even half a century later, shows no structural damage. In the center of the building is a large hall from which all the spaces on the upper floors are accessed via galleries. Because it has good acoustics the hall is often used as a large lecture room. It is vaulted and has a structurally interesting exposed concrete ceiling, the arches of which give the space good illumination.

Magnificent buildings were created long the Passer Promenade, intended for the noble audiences of the Hapsburg Monarchy. The architect Martin Dulfer, who was 40 years old at the time, was able to build his first theater here, which became one of the most important representatives of the Baroque-style Art Nouveau; he followed this theater with three others. The theater in Merano was built in just fourteen months, under the supervision of Wilhelm Kürschner, who would later become Bolzano’s city architect. The iron construction of the stage area came from Munich, the stage equipment from Vienna and the seats from Berlin. Important details of the original structure have been changed, but the building remains one of South Tyrol’s few preserved Art Nouveau buildings. The theater’s clear plan is functionally divided into the stage area, auditorium, and foyer; it seats 500 spectators.

The estate tavern with the panoramic view from its large terrace is worth a trip. Enjoy the wide range of Elena Walch wines while gazing at the scenic view of Lake Caldaro. The wines can be accompanied by cold regional delicacies – chosen specialties from Alto Adige to pair with your wine choice. After a guided vineyard tour, it is the ideal place to experience, in a glass, the vineyards you just visited. Open from April to November, 11.00 am – 6.30 pm, closed Tuesday.

Dinner, a daily experience with dishes from local and neighboring cuisines, is complemented by fine wines from our well-stocked cellar. Our bar and lunchtime bistro also celebrate tradition with fresh snacks and meals in a relaxed atmosphere.

The old Nives barn, in the middle of a sprawling tourist village structure, was to be preserved as a reminder of the farming past and used for exhibiting purposes. Through the renovation, surfaces were created in the section made of stone and in the solid wood construction of the barn. The interior spaces below were plastered, and those above were paneled with larch. In order to enlarge the exhibition space the barn was connected through a short passageway to a new structure, forming an elegant architectural contrast. A visually light pavilion, the structural steelwork, was surrounded on all sides by a glass facade. As a result, the building allows insight into what is happening inside and develops a dialogue with passers-by, who are encouraged by its transparency to visit.

As the way to someone’s heart is through his stomach, we at the “Alter Schlachthof” select our products almost exclusively from local farmers and selected suppliers from the immediate vicinity. Because only using fresh, natural and high-quality ingredients, we are able to create dishes for you which are delicious and healthy at the same time. This applies to South Tyrolean classics as well as forays into the international cuisine, vegetarian and vegan variations and titbits which are suitable for guests with food intolerances.

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. 

The horse racecourse in Maia Bassa/Untermais is one of the largest and most beautiful in Europe. It is very centrally located, but also divides the urban body sharply. In 1886, the first horserace took place for Merano’s aristocratic visitors. But the modern-day period began only in 1936, when the Fascist regime had the new racecourse built by the star architect of the day, Vietti Violi. With stepped staircases, flat roofs and clear design features, its plastered buildings are excellent examples of the Italian rationalist style, which was developed out of the classical modernism of the Bauhaus school. At two stories high, 150 meters long and 20 meters high, the main grandstand seats 15,000 spectators. After its renovation, the building received the 2011 South Tyrolean Architecture Award.

The Restaurant Laurin every day invites to taste local and Mediterranean specialties in its elegant Liberty room. The creativity of our chef de cuisine Manuel Astuto serve local and seasonal products together with seafood typicalties. Our restaurant supports the “Fair Cooking” movement, that’s the reason why you can find some fair trade ingredients. Our maître Christian Jungl and our sommelier Davide Ungaro suggest a great selection of the best Italian and international vineries, pointing out the best wines of South Tyrol.