One of the oldest towns in Tyrol is called Bressanone: It is an ancient episcopal town with the Plose skiing and hiking area above it
Bressanone lies in the heart of South Tyrol. The state road towards north leads to the Brennero Pass, towards east into the Val Pusteria valley and towards south to the city of Bolzano. In the middle of it all lies the valley basin in which the enchanting town centre stretches. Admired as one of the most beautiful towns in the Alpine region, Bressanone is also one of the oldest in the whole of Tyrol: Prince bishops ruled it for centuries, and it has been a bishop's seat for 1,000 years. Around the mighty Bressanone Cathedral, the medieval arcades spread out, the shopping street with shops under the vaults of the houses. When you have reached the edge of the town centre, vineyards and orchards dominate the landscape.
The surrounding hamlets on the Monte Ponente and Sant'Andrea on the slopes of the Plose as well as the villages of Albes, Elvas, Millan, Eores and Sarnes are also part of the municipality. The holiday resorts thus extend to below the peaks of Mt. Plose and the peaks of the Odle di Eores. The Plose itself is a well-known hiking and skiing area, where for some years now the wooden letters "Plose" have been enthroned metres high next to the mountain station, inviting children to climb. Paths such as the family-friendly WoodyWalk and MTB downhill trails make way for the ski slopes in winter.
So Bressanone is fascinating in two ways: The rich cultural offer of the town combined with the surrounding nature create an attractive and, above all, varied choice of activities. A Toerggele hike on the sunny slopes of the Monte Ponente followed by a stop at a typical farm inn, a drink at the Bressanone Summer Emotions, a winter hike on the Plose or a visit to the Christmas Market - the episcopal town and the villages in the surroundings have something for every taste all year round.
