In the Alpine town of Bolzano, the provincial capital of South Tyrol, culture and innovation and north and south meet in an inspiring mix
South Tyrol's capital lies in a sheltered basin where numerous valleys lead in different directions: the Sarentino Valley and the Adige Valley, the Valle Isarco and the Wine Road to the south of South Tyrol with Lake Caldaro. This unique location allows hiking directly from the city, excursions to higher altitudes by cable cars and skiing in winter followed by a visit to the Bolzano Christmas Market. On the outskirts, the grapes from which the popular South Tyrolean St. Magdalener and Lagrein wines are produced grow in the Mediterranean climate.
The town looks back on a long history: Already settled thousands of years ago, a town complex with moat and the traditional Arcades followed in the Middle Ages. These Arcades, under each of which a town house can be found, and under which trade was carried out already in the past, are still the most popular shopping street of Bolzano today. Known throughout Europe as a trade fair location between north and south under Claudia de Medici, Bolzano finally rose to become a tourist destination. Particularly Gries became world-famous as a climatic health resort. Numerous museums and castles are among the top sights of Bolzano, including the Museum of Archeology with Oetzi, the Iceman, the Nature Museum and the Mercantile Museum. The cultural offer is complemented by the festivals that Bolzano loves to celebrate: Bolzano Film Festival and Südtirol Jazz Festival Alto Adige, Busoni Piano Competition and Transart are the international events - Flower Market, Harvest Festival and Christmas Market are celebrated on the Walther Square.
Today, the municipal area extends from the hamlet of Colle down to the old town of Bolzano, and from the historic climatic health resort of Gries to Aslago with Flavon Castle high above it. To the west are Firmiano and Casanova, the new districts with their own train station, and to the east are the historic vineyards of Santa Maddalena. There the road rises towards the Renon. At the entrance to the Sarentino Valley, above the Talvera Meadows, Roncolo Castle, the "Painted Castle", still is enthroned. Bolzano was the first city in Italy to be awarded "Climate Municipality Gold", the highest award for municipal climate protection recognised throughout Europe.
