Monte San Zeno, Merano’s cradle, shows you the depiction of the oldest Tyrolean eagle
Image gallery: Monte San Zeno
Below Tirolo village lies Monte San Zeno (Zenoberg), a hamlet in the municipality of Tirolo overlooking Merano. The hill on which it stands also bears this name, formerly known as Mons Sancti Zenonis. Here, you'll find St. Zeno's Castle, a fortified complex dating back to Roman times.
Situated at the entrance to the Val Passiria, Monte San Zeno offers magnificent views of the spa town and the Adige Valley. Its sunny location is ideal for cultivating the Vernatsch grape. St. Zeno's Castle occupies a strategic position on a former main road towards the Giovo Pass and the German town of Augsburg. Its chapel was once an important pilgrimage site, as it housed the remains of St. Valentine, who lived there, and St. Corbinian, who made a pilgrimage to the site.
After St. Valentine's remains were transferred to Passau in 756 AD and St. Corbinian's to Freising in 768 AD, the sanctuary gradually lost its significance. On the church portal, you can find the oldest known Tyrolean eagle, carved in sandstone in the 14th century. This occurred after Tyrol Castle was destroyed by fire in 1301, and the County of Tyrol was administered from St. Zeno's Castle for three decades. Around 1310, Margaret, Countess of Tyrol, spent her childhood here.
A short walk from the castle and the Passiria Gate is the start of the Gilf Promenade, one of Merano's promenades. At the Torre delle Polveri (Powder Tower), the former keep of Ortenstein Castle, it meets the Tappeiner Promenade, which takes you to the town centre. Monte San Zeno is therefore also suitable for a stay just outside Merano, as it is only a ten-minute walk away.
