Architektura historyczna

The space in front of the Augustinian Monastery was used as a car park for a long time. Surrounded by buildings of historical value, the potential of the space was finally filled in with a new design. The complex is made of three parts: the entrance from outside, the square and the entrance to the abbey gate. The square was lowered by 1.5 meters in order to recreate the original proportions of the facades of the surrounding buildings. A steel plate for a fountain was installed in the middle of the space. Wooden steps arranged above the water cascade, surround the square, which can be used as seats for open-air events. In bad weather a large tarpaulin with steel supports and rope guy lines can be set up. All new aspects such as paving, parapets, steps etc. were made from granite to stay in keeping with the buildings of the abbey.

This wine bar is located on the ground floor of the Wipptaler Hof bed-and-breakfast, directly at the entrance to Sterzing’s New Town, just behind the Zwölferturm Tower. Here a spatial trisection can be found: The wine bar occupies the largest space, just behind the front door. It is characterized by an enormous table made of solid copper oak and seemingly endless shelves of the same material, which are filled with countless bottles of wine from a wide array of different places. Opposite there is a black steel fireplace, surrounded by cozy booths. All of the furniture is made of copper oak. A smaller room follows, with an old Stube parlor paneled in pine; then there is the kitchen, into which the guest can see. Snacks are prepared here to accompany the wine, which can be enjoyed at the outdoor tables in summer. A somewhat different, modern version of a traditional Weinstube.

The South Tyrolean Folklore Museum is the oldest of the provincial museums in South Tyrol and offers a view of social life in the past. The noble residence “Mair am Hof”, built in the 17th century, gives you the opportunity of following a striking itinerary through the refined world of local aristocracy. The stately rooms of the landed gentry and the collections of the museum are located inside the residence. Translocated original farm houses, craft workshops and cottage gardens are situated on the three hectares of the green area. A walk through the open air site takes you into the everyday world of various peasant groups of the past: from the self-sufficient farmers to rural craftsmen, cottagers and labourers.

With its 65,000 square metres of space, Franzensfeste is the largest historical complex in South Tyrol. Begun in 1833 under Emperor Franz Josef, this masterpiece of Austrian fortress architecture was opened by Emperor Ferdinand in 1838 after a construction period of only five years. By this time, however, it had already lost its strategic importance and justification. The enormous effort and the horrendous costs - for nothing. From then on, the huge fortress was only of use as a depot and was frozen in the Sleeping Beauty sleep of a strictly guarded military installation for over a century and a half. Since the military left the fortress in 2003, Franzensfeste has been open to the public and was extensively renovated in the course of two major exhibitions in 2008 and 2009. As a South Tyrolean Provincial Museum, Franzensfeste Fortress is now a magnet for tourists and locals alike and a popular venue for a wide variety of exhibitions and events.

January and february: winter break

The historic bridge of stone in the center of Prissiano (called "Stuanbogen") was first mentioned in 1308. By 1591 at the latest, the bridge was provided with a roof and was used to store the fire ladder.

Further information on the Old Stone Bridge in Prissian will be published here shortly.

The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings of the Town Hall on the southern side (in neo-baroque style, with an interesting frescoes inside) and by Amonn House on the eastern side (facade decorated with stucco).

In 1250, Bishop Bruno of Brixen founded Bruneck Castle, which served as his summer residence. The town that evolved below the castle walls took on its name. After an eventful history, having been used as a prison and as a school, today the castle houses the fifth Messner Mountain Museum, which focuses on mountain peoples. The historical structure was carefully excavated and restored. The rooms, however, were not sufficient to house the museum and so a section is housed underground, in spaces that were once part of the fortification walls. Modern architectural forms were used for all the additions and new buildings, with concrete, steel, wood and glass having been used as materials. Only the parts that had to be provided as temporary extensions, for example the cashier areas and rooms for temporary exhibitions, were consciously done in wood and may be dismantled at any time.

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. 

In the heart of Merano, right along the banks of the Passer River, stands one of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Kurhaus. This architectural jewel of the Belle Époque first opened its doors in 1874 and quickly captured the imagination of Europe’s high society with its elegant façade and lavish interiors. Its radiant white exterior still echoes the opulence of the Gründerzeit era, while the distinctive dome and playful Art Nouveau flourishes are the result of a major expansion between 1912 and 1914, led by famed Viennese architect Friedrich Ohmann. It was then that the building gained its defining features: the grand Kursaal, the Rotunda, and the celebrated Art Nouveau dome.

At the height of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Kurhaus served as Merano’s vibrant social heart. Its ornate halls hosted aristocrats and intellectuals who gathered to dance, attend concerts, and exchange ideas in an atmosphere of refined leisure. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, is said to have strolled through its rooms, and Emperor Franz Joseph I himself paid a visit. Literary figures like Rainer Maria Rilke and composers such as Richard Strauss and Franz Lehár drew inspiration from the region’s mild climate and exclusive ambiance. In the Mirror Hall – today the Pavillon des Fleurs – chamber music once filled the air, while outside, palm trees and flowerbeds lent a Mediterranean charm.

Over the decades, the Kurhaus became increasingly renowned, and Merano rose to prominence as a cultural and spa destination.

To this day, the Kurhaus defines the cityscape of Merano with its majestic architecture and unparalleled location on the Passer Promenade. Framed by lush Mediterranean plantings and the dramatic peaks of the Texelgruppe Nature Park, the building radiates elegance at the heart of the old town. Outside its stately gates, visitors and locals alike stroll beneath the chestnut trees; inside, marble columns, intricate stucco work, and ceiling frescoes evoke a bygone era. Yet the Kurhaus is more than a relic of the past – it is a living, breathing part of Merano’s identity.

Today, the Kurhaus pulses with cultural life. It regularly opens its doors for a wide array of events: classical and contemporary concerts during the internationally acclaimed Merano Music Weeks, glamorous balls, prestigious conferences, and trendsetting gatherings like the Merano WineFestival all find a home here.

The Kurhaus offers an inspiring setting where young artists share the stage with world- renowned performers. Food lovers discover the region’s finest flavors during gourmet events, stylish banquets, and culinary festivals. All of these occasions have one thing in common: a quiet sophistication that lingers long after the evening ends. The Kurhaus Merano is not merely a historical monument – it is a timeless space where past and present meet in harmony, creating moments of beauty, culture, and connection.

The Vinschgau Valley is one of the most arid areas in the Alpine region. Sunnaseit (sunny side) and Nörderseit (northern side) have always shaped the valley, the people, the culture.

Discover the versatility of this unique valley and its long history in the Vuseum - 's Vintschger Museum, and then hike the prehistoric settlement of Ganglegg or the old watercourses Leitenwaal and Berkwaal.

Enjoy the Venosta Valley ...

Interactive design, films, and the “Waal” hike along the ancient irrigation canals past the prehistoric settlement of Ganglegg make the visit really exiting.

... Experience the Venosta Valley

 The exhibitions make visitors understand why the Venosta Valley is the way it is today and how the people in the Venosta Valley learned to deal with the harsh conditions over the millennia.

Archeology

The Ganglegg site on the hill above Sluderno/Schluderns is the best-researched fortified hilltop settlement of the Bronze, Iron and Roman ages in the entire Alpine region. Valuable original structures have been preserved and also two houses rebuilt in this archaeological park.

The Rhaetian people at the Ganglegg occupied a position of social pre-eminence in prehistoric times, evidenced by the numerous jewellery and weapon finds from large parts of Europe. Their own writing, the place of burnt offerings as the centre of ritual ceremonies in the Venosta Valley made the people a powerful and widely feared tribe.

Swabian children

The Venosta Valley was a bitterly poor valley because of its climate. People had to starve and fight for survival every day. Facing a period of poverty between the 17th and early 20th century, many parents in the Vinschgau Valley were forced to send their children on a difficult an exhausting march to Upper Swabia to find a place to stay and work . The exhibition explores why it could come to this point and describes the hard everyday life of these "Swabian children".

Travellers – The Korrnr

It was not the desire for freedom that made them take the cart, it was poverty at home that forced them to do so. Pulling the cart, many people from the Venosta Valley travelled across the countryside. They bought and sold goods, hired themselves out as harvest workers or tried begging. Many a family was living on the streets for years.

WasserWosser – Water for irrigating the crops

Since the Venostaalley is one of the most arid valleys in Europe, the invention of a sophisticated system of artificial irrigation canals was essential for agriculture. Visit the exhibition WasserWosser and discover interesting facts about the origins, the history and organisation of this local irrigation system that has proven its value for thousands of years, and the way it was used.

Guided tours
Guided tours take place every Wednesday.
German guided tour - 16:00
Italian guided tour - 17:00

The justice palace, built in 1939 on architect Paolo Rossi´s project, tower over financial buildings; the bas-relief it sports is of Hans Piffrader. At the centre of the square the Naiads Fountain of 1960.

To the south of Bolzano, on porphyry rock, a vast castle arrangement, by the way, one oldest is in South Tirol. On account of her impressive situation, it is - as it is due to her beauty - also far away obviously. History: Castle Sigmundskron was called in the first historical mentions about 945 "Formicaria". In 1027 the German emperor gave the dukedom of Trento as well as the county to Bolzano to the bishop of Trento. In this manner the building went over in his possession and was used from now on as a seat of the Amtsmänner responsible for this territory and, moreover, still for high court meetings. An enlargement of the castle in 12. and 13. Therefore, Jhd. became necessary. Very pleasantly for the rulers of the area was the control of the navigation on Eisack and Etsch. The only entrance of Bolzano to Eppan could be closed up to the construction of the first bridge about 1200 easily. About 1473 the castle went over in the possession of Sigmund to the coin empires, princes of Tyrol. The lover of nice castles allowed to develop the arrangement immediately. As his most splendid construction the duke called this "castle Sigmundskron". However, soon afterwards Sigmund gets in financial difficulties. He must pledge his work, the castle slowly goes to ruin, because it is also not inhabited any more constantly. 1957: The next important event which takes place within these walls is the national rally against "Verwelschungsbestrebungen" (lot of Trento), i.e. against the disregard of the "Paris contract" about 1957. In 1976 an innkeeper's family raised for the first time the courage to renovate partially the castle to open the guest company in these romantic surroundings of course also at the same time. In 2006 The „sacristan Mountain of museum of Firmian“ in the castle Sigmundskron/Firmian is opened. Architectural style: The castle is built mainly in the highly medieval style. The slender donjon in the untercastle shows Late-Gothic rebuildings. From the 13th century is the residential tower with round arch door as well as round arch windows. One recognises two gun turrets by the up to 5-m-thick curtain wall in the upper precastle, among the rest, moreover, you find a living - and economic building in the court (the place of the today's restaurant). Specific features: Highly - and untercastle are unambiguously separated by a rock formation, a natural barrier which one often does not find thus. Duke Sigmund made the castle by stonecutters decorate, it had to go nicest in his collection. The different dimensions of the loopholes also do not correspond to the norm of that time.

The South Tyrolean traditional costumes are renowned for their beauty. It is interesting that almost every village and town has its own costume. These pieces of clothing are worn at every festive occasion, such as religious festivities or at processions. During the time of Charles the Great, it was not permitted for farming folk to wear expensive clothing. People of the lower ranks of society were not allowed to wear more than a Loden jacket. The farmers had to wear clothes made of materials they could produce themselves. Expensive fabrics such as silk and brocade were reserved for the richer people in society. Only when Empress Maria Theresia came to power, was this law amended so that the population could wear traditional costumes of any style. This resulted in a variety of traditional costumes that are still used to this day.
Kastelruth costumes for men: Men wear a shirt, cardigan and jacket with trousers and costume shoes. Their hat is decorated with a carnation and some leaves. The top button of the cardigan and jacketremain open.

Kastelruth costumes for women: Women wear a long black skirt and a black velvet corset. During the winter, they also wear a black small cape and during the summer a white jacket. On top of these, there is a silver or coloured shawl with long fringes. With the jacket, they need to wear a blue apron and with the small cape a black, water-silk apron. In addition, they wear fashionable ribbons that look well with their shawl. Married women wear their hair up, with a silver hairpin and a type of stylish comb, which helps to keep their hair in a knot. Unmarried women wear pigtails that are arranged in a type of Gretl hair style and incorporate this with a black velvet ribbon.

Visiting the town of Certosa/Karthaus is like a journey into the past. The town was built inside the walls of the Cloister of Certosa degli Angeli, founded in 1326 and reopened in 1782. The Via Crucis of the ancient cloister is especially interesting.

Trauttmansdorff was honored as Italy's Most Beautiful Garden in 2005. The complex comprises approximately 12 hectares of gardens, with about 5,800 species of plants and 80 different garden landscapes. The gardens are crossed by paths and waterways, and lined with pavilions. The castle – once the holiday residence of Empress Sissi – has been meticulously restored and complemented by a restaurant and visitor center. In addition to elegant stainless-steel details for bridges, railings and furniture, of particular note are the Aviary and the Viewing Platform. These two modern structures lend the gardens an architectural three-dimensionality. Both represent light yet bold architecture, made of stainless or galvanized steel, and seem to float over the gardens. Visitors access the Viewing Platform across steps that are virtually transparent. The platform towers above the treetops; meanwhile a dizzying bridge high above the gardens protrudes out of the aviary.

Earlier there was a natural bend in the river between the Bozen Gate and the bank of the river Passer, where sand collected, and the square laid out later in this area was named after it. Here, next to the Bozen Gate, is the building that used to be one of Meran´s oldest inns: the former Hotel Erzherzog Johann later renamed the Hotel Esplanade. Until 1913 the post office was located in the hotel. Nowadays the renovated Esplanade houses shops, offices and a café. Opposite you will see the "Ansitz Hohensaal2 an ancient noble residence that now accommodates the college of the "Englische Fraulein" and a neo-Romanesque church, the Herz Jesu Kirche (Church of the Sacred Heart). Currently it is difficult to see the square as it is in the process of being dug up in order to build a private underground car park. The Post bridge is the finest Art Nouveau bridge in Meran. The approach to the town from Bozen and the south was very important for the Meran merchants, and there were a number of different bridges here over the centuries, linking the Heiliggeistkirche/Spitalskirche (Church of the Holy Spirit/Hospital Church) with the town. The Art Nouveau bridge, renovated a few years ago, dates from 1909 and is the most elegant of Meran´s bridges.

"BZ '18–'45: one monument, one city, two dictatorships", is an exhibition opened to the public in July 2014. It illustrates the history of the Monument to Victory, designed by Marcello Piacentini and erected by the Fascist regime between 1926 and 1928. The monument reflects and provides a link to local historical events during the twenty years of Fascism and the Nazi occupation, within the context of national and international events in the years between the two World Wars (1918–1945). The exhibition also covers the radical urban transformations for the construction of a new “Italian” city of Bolzano, from the end of the 1920s. Finally, the exhibition confronts the difficult relationship between the different language groups, caused by the overbearing legacy of Fascism, within the evolving social and political framework of the second half of the twentieth century to the present day.

Here, through information and fun, nature becomes perceptible, tangible and accessible. Here are available information on the Natural Parks of the Pusteria valley and the formation of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage. On the first floor you can visit the temporary exhibitions. Free admission!                         

The sedate building on the village square, next to the church, is the headquarters of the winery, the barrel storage and technical rooms were extended into the space between the Gothic church tower and the old building. In order to save space, they decided on a wood-planked tower. Its wide, overhanging flat roof incorporates the first cornice of the church tower, just a few meters away, and the height of the old building’s eaves. The winery tower is thus well integrated. Because wood was chosen as the material and it has a similarly warm tone to the sandstone of the church tower, the two towers do not compete with one another. The strip of windows in the meeting space under the roof of the tower makes reference to the Gothic truss frame of the church tower. The barrel cellar is a structure with concrete supports, fitted with exposed bricks. Both the cellar and the stairwell are pervaded with artistically defined color schemes.

It all began in 1871 with the construction of the railway line from Lienz to Fortezza, which was owned by the Südbahngesellschaft in Vienna. In 1878 the Grand Hotel in Toblach was opened, thus giving rise to tourism in South Tyrol. Dobbiaco and the Grand Hotel soon became a destination for illustrious guests, especially in summer. The Hotel Südbahn became a prestigious meeting place for prominent personalities and, thanks to continuous investment, the building was gradually expanded.

The development of the Grand Hotel in Toblach
During the First World War, the Grand Hotel suffered little damage and became a military hospital. At the end of the war the complex was totally abandoned. In 1934 the building was auctioned off and bought by the ‘Istituto di Credito Fondiario delle Tre Venezie’. Fortunately, Italy was experiencing a phase of commercial growth and Italian customers discovered Toblach as a charming place for Alpine summer tourism.

In the period following the world wars, the building housed various institutions and facilities, going through a new phase of life. In the 1990s, it underwent a major and costly renovation.

The Grand Hotel today
What for its time was a luxury hotel now houses a Culture and Congress Centers, youth hostel, first class restaurant, Nature Parks Visitor Centre, Music School, Youth Service, training centre and social flats. The centrepiece of the entire complex is the splendid ‘Gustav Mahler’ Auditorium, dedicated to the Bohemian composer of the same name: with a capacity of 460 seats and excellent acoustics, it represents the beating heart of cultural activity.  
Today, the Grand Hotel in Toblach is home to the Euregio Cultural Centre, which houses the impressive Gustav Mahler Hall and a Guesthouse. 

South Tyrol's highest refuge is located on the southern side of the Stubai Alps at an altitude of 3,195 meters. The Becherhaus was built in 1894 by the German and Austrian Alpine Club, but subsequently received several conversions and renovations. The latest renovation work on the highest building site in South Tyrol was completed in the summer of 2021 after about a year of work. The original construction period lasted from March to August 1894, for which 25 tons of material were brought from Maiern to the summit. In the same year, the hut was opened under the name "Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Schutzhaus". The name was then changed a few years later. The chapel "Maria im Schnee" was also built and can still be visited today.

Despite its impressive location, the refuge offers mountaineers running water, hot meals in the comfortable Stube dining room and space for 100 people; the fire safety equipment, technical facilities and energy-generation system are also up to date. The Becherhaus is open from the end of June to mid-September. Well-known peaks such as Wilder Freiger (3418 m), Zuckerhütl (3505 m), Sonklarspitze (3463 m) and Botzer (3250 m) round off the Becherhaus in the area of eternal snow. 

Starting from the head of the Ridnauntal valley in the direction of the Aglsbodenalm, you reach the Becherhaus via the Grohmann and Teplitzer refuges. After the Teplitzerhütte, past the picturesque Vogelhüttensee lake, continue on trail no. 9 over boulders and well-secured passages with wire ropes and step bars, crossing a moraine to below the Becherfelsen rock. The last part of the hike is via serpentines up to the Becherhaus. Mountaineering experience, surefootedness and appropriate equipment are essential! The way back is via the ascent path.

In the via Cassa di Risparmio/Sparkassenstrasse are collocated the Civic Museum and the Archeological Museum with the iceman.

The Brixen Pharmacy Museum leads into the past of a Brixen townhouse with splendid wall panelling, murals and tiled stoves. The house containing the Peer Pharmacy holds a rich store of rare medicaments that relate the diversity and imagination of the healing art. This wonderful little museum is also highly recommended for all lovers of architecture and modern art.

The vintner took over his father's 1980s estate, and built a modern tasting space in the stolid old building. The simple insertion is a piece pulled out of the facade, a covered terrace, and can be opened with a retractable glass wall. The refined and ingenious design, perfect down to the last groove, is revealed only when one comes closer. It is completely white, uncompromising paired with the wine, which plays the starring role here. The white tasting table can be adjusted upwards, so that the wine can be tasted while standing, as if at a bar. The entire back wall area is used for projections. A specially designed lighting concept completes the presentation of wines to great effect. All of the service components required for the tastings are stored in a bar niche.

In Moos/Moso you will find a museum experience with a particular character. In combination with an Information Centre of the Natural Park Texel group exhibition areas to settlement history of the background Passeier, snow mountain, natural history and geology offered. History and experience bunker as well as a Capricorn-enclosure complete the offer.

Marienberg Abbey above Burgeis/ Burgusio dates back to the 12th Century. The highest located Benedictine abbey in Europe is situated at an altitude of 1,340 m a.s.l., since 900 years monks live here according to the rules of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Today, the main hall displays impressions about the daily life of the monks marked by Benedict's credo ora et labora. The exhibition displays also beautiful paintings such as the Romanesque Crypt frescoe with its unique depiction of angels.

Special exhibitions:

- Marienberg in front of and behind the lens
- Maria

Guided Tours
All information about guided tours and timetables can be found at https://www.marienberg.it/en/museum/guided-tours.html.