Kultura i Zabytki w Bozen i Okolicach

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

On the Vadena/Pfatten trail, hiking trail no. 5A, which connects Mover/Mairhof in Vadena with the Lakes of Monticolo, you will find this beautiful vantage point with a view of Laives/Leifers, Bronzolo/Branzoll and the whole valley. The vantage point can be reached via the path in 650m and approx. 20 minutes on foot from Mover/Mairhof.

The parish church of St. Magdalena used to be a small chapel that was integrated into a castle. The chapel was built in 1304 and dedicated to St. Mary Loreto. In 1797 the chapel had some modifications, such as the construction of a tower and the extension of the chapel to a church. In 1804 the patronage of the church was transferred to St. Magdalena.

It is the Cathedral of the Bolzano Bozen- Bressanone Brixen Diocese. It conceals the remains of an early Christian, Medieval and Romanesque (1180) basilica. A hundred years later works are commenced to build a new imposing building which is completed around 1420 by combining the expertise of workers of Lombardy with the gothic style brought by the Swabian expertise over the decades. The bell tower stand over the square, 65 metres tall, with a spire in openwork in sandstone by the Swabian architect Hans Lutz von Schussenried, who completed it between 1501 and 1519. To see: the cross built in Veronese style, the "Wine door", the Romanesque Portal with porch lions, the rose window, the fresco "Virgin with child" credited to Friedrich Pacher, inside the gothic pulpit, the baroque Chapel of the Three Maries.

The Franciscan order settles in town in 1221; the present building Dates back to the rist haf of the 14th century, but the original ceiling, flat and with a choir of polygonal shape, has been replaces by a vaulted ceiling from the 15th century. The coister is a beautiful example of gothic art, which replaces the Romanesque style in which the rest of the building was built; there are different frescoes from various periods of time, including some from Giotto's School and some from the 17th and 18th century. The church still preserves an astounding wooden altar by Hans Klocker of Brixen (painted Wood - 1500) which was dedicated to the Nativity Scene. The choir of the church is embellished by the modern glass panels of Widmoser.

The ruins of Stein Castle at Renon are located below Siffiano between Collalbo and Auna di Sotto. The few imposing remains of the castle ruins rise on an isolated rock above a gorge that drops from Renon into Valle Isarco. Only the south and west walls of the palace remained, the ring walls of the lower situated outer castle have largely fallen into the depths. In the first half of the 13th century, the complex was built by the Lords "de Lapide" (to the stone), destroyed in 1349, then rebuilt and abandoned in the 17th century.

For a long time, the castle, situated on important secondary connections, served as the court seat of Renon. In the 15th century, the Tyrolean sovereigns commissioned a court judge, such as the Bolzano noblewoman Ingenuin ofWeineck as "phleger auf dem Stain" in 1417.

This is an old and famous brewery in Bolzano Bozen, where you can taste and buy some special beers, such as "Batzen Hell" (blond beer, Vienna style), "Batzen Dunkel" (dark beer), "Batzen Weisse" (wheat beer), "Batzen Pils" and other kinds of beer.

In Bronzolo/Branzoll we find one of the most beautiful church squares in South Tyrol with the romanesque and late gothic parish church St. Leonhard.

Panoramic view Sattele The top "Sattele" in the near of the mountain chairlift-station with his 2460 m is the highest point of the Skiing Area Reinswald. The "Sattele" is one of the most beautiful panoramic points in the Sarentino Mountains. The panoramic view for the Dolomites is great.

That's one of the most beautiful “green areas” in our city: a place for both tourists and locals where you can spend time relaxing and having fun with your children. There is also a snack bar.

At the beginning of the Sarntal Valley you'll find Runkelstein Castle, on the northern outskirts of town. You can easily get there on foot walking the lush green Talfer promenade or using a bike by taking the bike path. You can also hop on number 12 bus (Sunday Nr. 14), as well as the free shuttle departing from Walther Square (for further information contact Bolzano's Tourism Office). At the foot of the castle you'll find parking space for cars and bikes. Built in 1237 on a jutting edge of rock, the castle has been worked on and enlarged many times over and it boasts a collection of beautiful frescoes, depicting life scenes from court, hunting parties, knightly tournaments and scenes from everyday life. Literary depictions are not missing, as they also illustrate the adventures of Tristan and Isolda and those of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. It is the biggest collection of profane frescoes and the best preserved one of the Middle Age. There are always some interesting cultural events going on at the castle, wich from time to time liven up the halls and court of Roncolo. A restaurant offers the chance to taste local dishes in a medieval setting.

The parish church of Laives/Leifers – Where past and future meet

The parish church of Leifers is made of two parts, a historical one and a modern one. The historic part was first mentioned in 1286 and contains the miraculous image of Maria Weissenstein. Thanks to the former curate of Laives/Leifers, Johann von Kolb it is still possible to admire the statue. During the 70s there was already the intention of expanding the church. The Italian speaking community first wanted an own parsonage, but the bishop of that time was keen on reinforcing the connection between the two communities (Italian and German speaking), not separating them. Therefore, the decision to extend the already existing church has been made. The construction began in 2000 and ended 4 years later. The modern part has been christened in 2004. The form of the building is a symbol for acceptance, home, friendship and understanding and shows the way to an eternal home. As a sign for Christianity and resurrection, a triumphal cross has been put up over the altar. The different light inside the church symbolise Christ, who is the world’s light.

A church in Flaas is documented for the first time in 1237. The present church was built around 1500 and has a Romanesque predecessor with a half-round apse.

A cozy themed trail for everyone, leads trough for meadows and forests. From San Genesio over the Salten until Tschaufen will have 9 play and activity stations and interesting information
boards around Haflinger horses and larch trees.

Attractive building from 1634 incorporating an original part of the old City walls, maintained its official function until 1780. Right up in front of it a plaque which commemorates Saint Andrew's Church (demolished in 1785) and in front of it you can admire the picturesque Piazza del Grano Kornplatz (Wheat Square), embellished by nice shops and restaurants, one the main wheat market and of other land produce. In this respect we are talking about the firs main urban centre of Bolzano/Bozen together with the castle of the Prince-Bishops of Trento, founders of the City: the Castle was probably destroyed by Mainhard II during one of his incursions to obtain control over the important commercial town (1277).

The Renon earth pyramids are the highest and the most aesthetically pleasing in Europe. Earth pyramids are a phenomenon of erosion. They originate where ice-age glaciers have deposited moraine clay in valleys. When it is dry, it is rock-hard. If it comes into contact with water, it turns into a clayey pulp that flows down into the valley. However, when protected from the rain by large stones, the clay remains dry and hard. Only the part around the stone erodes. This is how earth columns are formed and become higher each time it rains. If the top stone falls off the peak, the column is certainly doomed to a quick decline because the clay is exposed to the rain and then carried away by it.

The earth pyramids on the Renon can be marvelled at in three ravines: in the Rio Fosco valley between Longomoso and S. Maria, in the Rio Rivellone valley below Soprabolzano and in the valley of the Rio Gasterer at Auna di Sotto.

At the free fossil show below the  Tourist Office Meltina, which can be admired all year round, you can admire 260 million year old fossil tree remains. They originate from the Möltner Joch, where a large number of plant fossils from the more recent Permian period were found. The Fossil Museum offers an insight into the geology of the Tschögglberg on eleven display boards. In another eleven showcases various minerals, fossils and geological handpieces are shown. An exciting story of long extinct plants and animals, of deserts and seas, of catastrophic volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, of digging glaciers, plunging streams and leisurely flowing rivers.

This street carries the Name of the Poet, lawyer and Mayor of Bolzano/Bozen during the second half of the 19th century. The street overlaps the old northern moat of the first medieval centre and the buildings on ist southern part correspond the the northern facade of the arcades. Especially during summer, the beginning of the street becomes a suggestive Corner of Bolzano: criss-cross from an original oper-bar on the fish Banks to shop, decorations and Restaurants, which create a Special and unique atmosphere. Numerous arches look down on the street, which contribute to the medieval hue. Number 25 corresponds to the entrance to the ancient Town Hall.

The Santo Sepolcro Church also known as the Church of Calvary, can be reached in about 20 minutes following the forest path that starts from via Santa Geltrude or from the road that goes up from via Piè di Virgolo. A handful of minutes, following the via crucis, and here we are, immersed in the forest. From here you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over Bolzano and the Sciliar plateau.

The church, built between 1683 and 1684, has been for centuries a place of pilgrimage. On the right, looking at the entrance of the church, there is a chapel that contains the fountain with Christ. In past times couples used to do small fertility rites to become a child. The elders of Virgolo still remember a popular belief who said that children came into the world under the fountain of the chapel and weren't brought by the stork.

The church has been restored in recent times, but the countless love-graffiti are safe. Pilgrims and lovers engraved the walls of the sepulchre with love messages from the 18th century up to our days and it is a real emotion to read those messages that overlap over the centuries and tell the story of hundreds of people through a heart, a flower, a name, a date or a promise of love.

The church in Antlas was built around 1360 and has two stone framed arch doors. During the restoration an early gothic mural was found. The key to visit the church can be borrowed at the Zunerhof.

Built following Georg von Hauberrisser's Project, from Munich. Mayr, head of the Schützen, a traditional unit of infantrymen, and firm believer in the rebellion against the French domain, was shot by the French on the 20th February 1810.

The St. Ulrich-Kirchlein in Gschleier gives hikers a beautiful view over the surrounding mountains. The originally very simple Romanesque construction was rebuilt in 1859. The altarpiece of the holy Bishop Ulrich was painted by the painter Psenner from Ums.

At St. Ulrich-chapel in Gschleier the hiker enjoys a magnificent view of the surrounding mountain world. The original simple Romanesque building was renovated in 1859. The altarpiece with Bishop Ulrich was painted by artist Psenner from Ums.

One of the most typical streets of the City centre, adorned with pretty plaques in wrought iron, various typical restaurants and the historical Hotel Luna Mondschein. At the ent of the street, heading north you'll find the Museum of Natural Science, housed in the administrative centre of the Emperor and Count of Tyrol Maximilian I (built in 1512). Near the Museum you'll also find the historic Restaurants "Weißes Rössl" and "Batzenhäusl" favoured by various artists.

The St. Valentine chapel in the Fraction Schlaneid was built upon request by the population in 1769 in a simple Baroque style. The ruins of the old Valentines church (exposed in 1990) are in the forest “Valteswald”  below the village. The altarpiece with the Bishop Valentin was made by Franz Unterberger from Cavalese. The Stations of the Cross were made in 1770 by Josef Sparer.

Come and see this 400 year-old mountain maple just next to the Tomanegger restaurant on the road between San Genesio and Valas. Relax under its calming branches, while having a spectacular view on the Dolomites just in front of you! 

Here some informations about the Tomanegger mable:

Trunk circumference: 1,7 metres, 3,0 metres, 1,8 metres Height: 18 metres

Leafage diameter: 18,5 metres

Age: about 400 years 

 

In the St. Georg and St.Jakobs Church in Soprabolzano you can admire beautiful murals from the late 13th century. 

The Cristallo Theatre offers performances of different companies from Italy.

The church has been dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and was built aorund 1600 on the same spot where one stood the Wendelstein Castle of the Counts of Tirol. A majestic column by Felice Brusasorci (1600) rises above the main altar, showing an example of mannerism in the Capels of Saint Mary, Saint Sebastian and Saint John in the lateral chapel.

With the prestigious Campofranco building, Menz and Pock, which already housed the elite Hotel and now the "Zur Kaiserkron'" Restaurant. Below the "Fink" Restaurant lies the City jail and the guard's residence.

The saga of Weissenstein depicts the life of the religious farmer Leonhard. He was very ill and fell into a ravine. The Mother of God appeared to him and promised to safe him, if he built a chapel in her honor. The Mother of God told him: "So that you don't doubt my promise, i will leave you in this cave for nine more days and nights, without meat and drink. On the ninth day your family will find you. But don't forget my words!".

It happened how the Mother of God predicted, but Leonhard forgot to built the chapel and became ill again. From that moment on a light was shining where Leonhard fell in the cave and nobody had an explanation why. Leonhard eventually remembered his promise to the Mother of God. He quickly began to build the chapel and was then cured from his illness. When digging he found a little statue which represented the Mother of God. Leonhard continued to finish bulding and placed the statue in the chapel.

Soon after Maria Weissenstein became a popular place of pilgrimage. In 1787 the statue of the Mother of God was relocated to the church of Laives/Leifers.