Bolzano/Bozen

<< Trentino-Alto Adige

Bolzano (Bozen in German) is the capital and largest city in South Tyrol. It is located in a valley at the confluence of various rivers and has been for a long time a meeting point between Italian and German culture. Inhabited since ancient times, it was ruled by German nobles throughout the Middle Ages and was later contested between the bishops of Trento and the counts of Tyrol. As Tyrol became part of the Habsburg domains, Bolzano flourished as a market town during the centuries-long Austrian rule. South Tyrol joined Italy after World War I, and it underwent a process of forced Italianization. As a result of this, Bolzano now has a majority Italian-speaking population, while most of the province speaks German as first language. Today Bolzano is one of the richest cities in Italy, and always ranks among the best in terms of quality of life. Due to its proximity to the Brenner pass and the Austrian border, it is also an important commercial center, and a destination for tourists that enjoy the city’s culture and the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

✪ South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology (Museo Archeologico dell’Alto Adige/Südtiroler Archäologiemuseum) is almost entirely focused on Ötzi, a well-preserved natural mummy dating around 3300 BCE. The mummy was found in the mountains of South Tyrol and it is kept in a special chamber inside the museum. The exhibitions of the museum display the history of ancient South Tyrol, and explain how Ötzi probably lived and died.

✪ Via dei Portici/Laubengasse

Via dei Portici (or Laubengasse) is a porticoed street in the center of Bolzano, connecting Piazza del Municipio and Piazza delle Erbe. This is the most important commercial road in the city, and the historic buildings facing it are occupied by numerous stores, bars, and restaurants.

✪ Bolzano Cathedral

Also known as: Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta/Maria Himmelfahrt

The Bolzano Cathedral (Duomo di Bolzano/Bozner Dom) is the main religious building in Bolzano, located on the central Walther Square. The current 15th-century Gothic church stands on the site of previous churches dating back to the Paleochristian age. The church houses a few artworks and a small museum, and it is immediately recognizable thanks to its decorated roof.

Church of the Dominicans

The Church of the Dominicans (Chiesa dei Domenicani/Dominikanerkirche) is a medieval Gothic church in Bolzano. While the exterior is very simple, inside it hosts various decorations, most notably the rich series of 14th-century frescoes of the Chapel of San Giovanni, painted by members of followers of Giotto.

Natural Sciences Museum of South Tyrol

The Natural Sciences Museum of South Tyrol (Museo di Scienze Naturali dell’Alto Adige/Naturmuseum Südtirol) is an exhibition on the local environment of South Tyrol. It hosts a collection showcasing the geology and nature of the region, and it also houses a large aquarium.

Civic Museum of Bolzano

The Civic Museum of Bolzano (Museo Civico di Bolzano/Stadtmuseum Bozen) is located next to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, and it hosts a collection displaying the history of the region. The museum houses sections on local art, culture, and traditions spanning several centuries.

Bolzano Victory Monument

The Victory Monument of Bolzano (Monumento alla Vittoria/Siegesdenkmal) is a large triumphal arch celebrating the Italian victory in World War I, which let to South Tyrol becoming part of Italy. The monument was erected in the 1920s featuring elaborate decorations, and now it hosts the BZ ’18-’45 museum. This is a permanent exhibition on the history of Bolzano under the Fascist dictatorship and Nazi occupation.

Museion

Museion is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Bolzano. It is housed in a modern building and features a collection of artworks by both local and international artists, and it often hosts exhibitions.

Funivia del Colle/Kohlerer Bahn

Funivia del Colle (Kohlerer Bahn in German) is a cable car climbing the mountain south of Bolzano to the hamlet of Colle di Villa (Herrenkohlern). Inaugurated in 1908, this was the first cable car in the world to transport people, and it houses one of the original historic cars in the station at the top of the mountain. In Colle di Villa, a panoramic tower offers an amazing view over Bolzano and the surrounding mountains.

Sigmundskron Castle

The Sigmundskron Castle (Castel Firmiano/Schloss Sigmundskron) is a fortification located on top of a hill near Bolzano. It was erected in the 10th century and later expanded, and was for centuries one of the most important fortresses in the area. Now the castle hosts the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian, a museum focused on mountaineering.

Maretsch Castle

The Maretsch Castle (Castel Mareccio/Schloss Maretsch) is a medieval castle located near the center of Bolzano. The fortified palace was built in the Late Middle Ages and it is adorned with ancient frescoes. After being restored, it is now used as a venue for events.

Runkelstein Castle

The Runkelstein Castle (Castel Roncolo/Schloss Runkelstein) is a medieval fortress located just north of Bolzano. It was erected in the 13th century, and it is noted for featuring a rich series of ancient frescoes. After being abandoned for a long time, the castle has been recently restored and it can now be visited.