Among historic streets, narrow alleys, and Bolzano’s main theatres and museums
Image gallery: Bolzano Centro-Piani
Piani di Bolzano (Bozner Boden), an area used for agriculture, is now known for the large market hall and the Cineplexx cinema. As early as the 15th century, the area was mentioned as "Poden pey Botzenn". It extends to the Old Town of Bolzano, which we describe in a separate article, and to Roncolo Castle and Rafenstein Castle at the entrance to the Sarentino Valley.
There, the Talvera Meadows form the green lung and local recreation area of the town. This area houses most of Bolzano's museums, including the Municipal Museum, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology with Oetzi the Iceman, and the South Tyrol Museum of Nature with its coral reef and changing special exhibitions - particularly popular with families. Adjacent to the Walther Square is the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral with the Cathedral Treasury and its precious artefacts.
Some of Bolzano's oldest roads can also be found here. In the Via dei Bottai, or Bindergasse, at the eastern end of the old town, wine taverns and the wine trade were once profitable sources of income, while in the Via dei Conciapelli, or Gerbergasse, animal hides were processed into leather.
At Bolzano's Fruit Market at the other end of the arcades, where the town walls once stood, fruit, bread, and flowers are sold today. In between, establishments such as the "Fischbänke" invite you to enjoy an aperitif and the warm evenings. Together with Rencio on the eastern edge of the town, the centre and Piani di Bolzano form the easternmost of the five districts of the regional capital.
