The medieval Glorenza, the smallest town in the southern Alps, is a place full of surprises and historical treasures
Glorenza is considered an architectural jewel: The ring wall with the three town towers and a whole series of fortified towers form the only preserved closed fortification in the Alps, in the middle of the expanse of the southern Malles Heath. This circular wall can even be partly walked on and encloses picturesque alleys and nooks, town houses from the 16th century and gardens behind white walls where pear trees and flowers grow. In between are the arcades, kept low and irregularly shaped, and landmarks such as the old town mill by the stream. You can enter Glorenza through the town gates: the Glorenza Church Tower at the Adige River in the south, which houses the Paul Flora exhibition, the Malles Gate in the north, and the Sluderno Gate Tower with its exhibition in the east.
But the little town was known already long ago. The Via Claudia Augusta passed by here, and also an old trade route to Switzerland. More than 700 years ago, in the time of Meinhard II of Tyrol, Glorenza was granted market rights and a few years later, in 1304, town status. It was also Meinhard who moved the Bartholomew Market from Münster to Glorenza. Today, the markets still play an important role and are widely known as Glorenza Arcades Markets: The Bartholomew Market in August and the "Sealamorkt" on All Souls' Day at the beginning of November are the most important traditional markets. By the way, Glorenza has no districts and is divided into the town centre and the outer town, the settlements outside the town walls.
No wonder that Glorenza has already served as a film set many times and is on the list of the most beautiful places and towns in Italy, the "Borghi più belli d'Italia". It is the directory of a private association known beyond the borders, and Glorenza appears there with the note "700 well worn years". If you want to be active amidst all the unique impressions, it is the starting point for hikes along the old irrigation channels called Waale, and bike tours on the Via Claudia Augusta which passes by the town gates. In winter, you can spend a day in the Venosta Nordic cross-country skiing network and on the slopes in the Watles Skiing Area, a few km away from Glorenza.
