Burgraviato and Val Venosta

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The Burgraviato (Burggrafenamt in German) is a historical region located west of Bolzano. This area includes the town of Merano. Further west is Val Venosta (Vinschgau in German), one of the most popular valleys in the Italian Alps, known for its beautiful natural environment. Both Burgraviato and Val Venosta are crossed by the Adige river.

Merano/Meran

Merano (Meran in German) is one of the main cities in South Tyrol, located in a valley northwest of Bolzano. Already inhabited during the time of the Romans, Merano developed in the Middle Ages. It was the capital of the County of Tyrol until 1420, when the counts moved to Innsbruck, but it formally kept this status until 1848. During its time as the main center of Tyrol, it flourished as a commercial hub connecting Italy to Germany. It joined Italy along with all of South Tyrol after World War I. Merano is a renowned spa resort and a popular tourist destination since the 19th century, when it was already appreciated by nobles for its mild climate.

Palais Mamming Museum

Palais Mamming Museum is the civic museum of Merano, houses in a historic palace in the center of the town. The museum hosts an exhibition on local history and art, along with thousands of other objects from all over the world, obtained through various donations.

Kunst Meran/Merano Arte

Kunst Meran/Merano Arte is a contemporary art museum located in the center of Merano. It houses a collection especially focused on local artists and it often hosts exhibitions.

Trauttmansdorff Castle

Trauttmansdorff Castle (Castel Trauttmansdorff/Schloss Trauttmansdorff) is a 14th-century fortification just outside Merano and surrounded by a beautiful botanical garden. The castle also hosts the Touriseum, a peculiar museum on the history of tourism.

Women’s Museum

The Women’s Museum of Merano (Museo delle Donne/Frauenmuseum) is located in a former monastery in the center of the city. It houses an exhibition on the history of women, with a collection of everyday objects and various books and documents.

Tirolo/Tirol

Tirolo (Tirol in German) is a small town located just north of Merano. It is known for being the place from which the entire region of Tyrol got its name.

Tyrol Castle

The Tyrol Castle (Castel Tirolo/Schloss Tirol) is a medieval fortification near the town of Tirolo. Built around the 11th century, it was the residence of the counts of Tyrol until 1420, and so the entire region they governed took the name from this place. The castle still preserves some of the medieval decorations and artworks, and now it hosts a museum on the history and culture of South Tyrol.

Val Venosta/Vinschgau

Val Venosta (Vinschgau in German) is a valley in the northwestern part of South Tyrol. It stretches from the Reschen Pass to Merano, and it is crossed by the Adige river. The area is German-speaking and it is famous for its quiet natural environment and beautiful mountains. The capital of the valley is Silandro/Schlanders.

✪ Lago di Resia/Reschensee

Lago di Resia/Reschensee is an artificial lake located south of the Reschen Pass. The lake was formed after the construction of a dam, submerging some villages. Now it is famous not only for its beautiful environment, but mostly for the ancient bell tower sticking out of the water near the town of Curon Venosta/Graun im Vinschgau, one of the most iconic sights in South Tyrol.

Glorenza/Glurns

Glorenza is a small town in Val Venosta, surrounded by medieval walls. It was the main town of the valley in the Late Middle Ages, and the walls were built after Glorenza was damaged during a war in 1499. Now the well preserved fortifications and medieval feeling of the old town make it an interesting tourist destination.

Marienberg Abbey

The Marienberg Abbey (Abbazia di Monte Maria/Abtei Marienberg) is a Bendictine abbey located on a hill above the small town of Burgusio/Burgeis. It is one of the most important and oldest monasteries in the region, founded in the 9th century. Most of the current structures dates from the 17th century, when it was heavily restored. The abbey was later turned into a school and now serves as a museum.