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bolzano province, province of bolzano trentino-alto-adige
Herbert Ortner, Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Province of Bolzano

Bolzano Province: location, history, culture, interest

Bolzano is one of the two provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige, also known as Sud Tirolo (Italian) or South Tyrol (English) and is located in the most northern tip of Italy. Covering an area of 7,400 sq.km it is bordered by Austria to the north and east, Switzerland to the west with its southerly borders touching the Italian provinces of Belluno, Trento and Sondrio.

Bolzano Province
Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige

It is an extremely mountainous province and is located entirely in the Alps. Several mountain ranges are contained in, or partially within its borders including the famous Eastern and Western Dolomites, the Sesvenna Range, the Hohe Tauern and the Ortler, Ötztal, Stubai, Sarntal and Zillertal Alps. The highest peak at 3,905 metres is the Ortler (part of the Ortler Alps) in the far west.

The landscape, particularly around the Dolomites, is spectacular with dramatic mountain scenery, deep sweeping valleys and picture book villages. The area is generally heavily forested and away from the high peaks is well cultivated.

Bolzano has a successful, multi-cultural society where the majority of the inhabitants are of Austrian or Bavarian heritage. Almost 75% of the population speak German as a first language and other than a small percentage who speak Ladin the rest of the population has Italian as a first language. All of the road signs and public notices are in both languages (with Ladin being added as a third in places where it is spoken).

The province of Bolzano is one of the most developed and wealthiest provinces in Italy. It is heavily populated and has been named as one of the best places to move to in Italy due to its high standard of living and abundance of work opportunities. It is one of the wealthiest and most highly developed areas not only in Italy but also within the European Union.

The area is a popular holiday destination and is known world wide for its excellent ski resorts.

Bolzano

Bolzano is the capital city of the province of Bolzano in the region of Trentino Alto-Adige. It is one of only a handful of communities of the province where Italian is the first language. It is generally considered to be one of the cities in Italy with the best quality of life as well as one of the best Alpine towns.

The city is home to the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano where all the lectures are held in three languages; Italian, German and English. It is also the headquarters of the Italian Army's Alpini High Command (COMALP) and houses their combat and support units.

Bolzano and the surrounding area has no shortage of work with large machinery, car and steel industries as well as service industries, high quality agricultral projects, tourism and traditional handicrafts in wood and ceramics.

It is a pleasant, spacious city with the main street in the centre running for 300 metres and lined on both sides of its length with medieval arcades. The street, Via dei Portici (Laubengasse in German) is a renowned shopping centre and has an endless stream of elegant shops with attractive window displays.

There is a Gothic Cathedral, a Benedictine Monastery and several churches of note including the Chiesa dei Domenican which houses a series of Gothic paintings.

There are several castles in and around Bolzano, the most notable being:

  • Castle Maretsch - rather than being built as a construction for defence or a fortress, this castle has always been a residence. It was originally built in the 13th century but was transformed into a Renaissance castle in the mid 16th century. Today it is used as a conference centre but is open for groups of visitors by appointment.
  • Runkelstein Castle - this medieval castle was built as a fortification on the top of a rocky spur in ritten, just outside the city of Bolzano.
  • Firmian/Sigmundskron Castle - dating back to 945 AD this castle is now mainly well preserved ruins and houses a mountain musuem established by the mountaineer Reinhold Messner.

During the construction of the musuem a grave, complete with the skeleton of a woman, was discovered. It is estimated that the age of this neolithic grave and its occupant is somewhere between six and seven thousand years.

The other main Italian speaking communities in the province of Bolzano are Laives which is the fourth largest town and Salorno which is famous for its medieval castle. Know as the Castle of Salerno (Haderburg castle in german) it is built on the top of a high limestone rock overlooking the Adige valley and marks the linguistic border between the German and Italian population of the province.

Several communties speak Ladin as a first language and these include Badia, La Val, Mareo, San Martin de Tor, Santa Cristina Gherdëina, Sëlva and Urtijëi.

Other towns and villages of interest are:

Brixen

This is the third largest as well as the oldest town in the province. It is famouse for its skiing resort, Plose, and attracts many tourists in the summer as well as the winter.

Interesting places to visit in the town are:

  • The Cathedral - built in the 10th century and rebuilt twice, the first time in the 13th century and the second time between 1745 and 1754.
  • The Hofburg - a 13th century Renaissance Bishop's Palace which is considered to be one of the main noble residences in South Tyrol. It has a musuem which, as well as many important pieces of art, has a presepe containing over five thousand figures.
  • Church of Saint Michael - a round, 11th century church.
  • The Pharmacy Museum (Pharmaziemuseum) - this museum is housed in a 500 year old town house which was once the original pharmacy of the town which was, and still is, run by the same family who are now on to their seventh generation. The musuem tracks and demonstrates the changes that have taken place in the pharmaceutical profession over the centuries.
  • Rodeneck Castle - this is just outside the town and was once very powerful.

Corvara

Situated right in the centre of the Alta Badia and surrounded by the stunning peaks of the Dolomites this small town is a very prominent tourist destination.

Franzensfeste

Famous for its historic railway station and large fort which has been open to the public since 2008.

Freienfeld

There is plenty of evidence to prove that this village was inhabited in prehistoric times. There is a church there called 'Sanctuary Maria Trens' which is a place of pilgramage and is dedicated to the wooden statue of 'Our Lady of the Avalanche'. According to legend a famer found the carved statue in the debris of a landslide in the 14th century. He took it to his house but when he woke up the next day the statue was in the church. It has been worshipped ever since.

Graun im Vinschgau

Bordering the large, artificial lake Reschensee the original town was abandoned as the valley was dammed for hydro electricity and is now no longer accessible. The lake is famous for the steeple of the submerged 14th century church which is clearly visible and has become a landmark. Folklore states that the bells can still be heard ringing in the depths of winter. when the water on the lake freezes it is possible to walk out to the steeple.

Hafling

This town breeds and gave its name to the Haflinger horses.

Innichen

Here you can find the Innichen Abbey which was built in the late 8th century and later rebuilt during the late 12th century. It is considered to be one of the most important Romanesque buildings in the Tyrol.

Karneid

The dramatic castle and fortress here was constructed in the early 13th century and is perched perilously on an inaccessible cliff face.

Laas

Known for its pure white marble which is quarried and used for buildings all around the world, including the Victoria Memorial in London.

Merano

Sitting in a natural basin it is surrounded by mountains well over three thousand metres high and is well known for its spa resorts and mild climate. It has a series of medieval gates, a gothic church and a 17th century, two arched stone footbridge.

Ritten
The famous chocolate and wafer biscuit company 'Loacker' is located here. Just outside the town there are several groups of earth pyramids or 'fairy chimneys'.

Sand in Taufers

Home to the imposing 13th century Taufers Castle which towers above the village.

Sterzing

A medieval town with some intersting and important churches including 'Our Lady of the Marsh', 'Holy Spirit', 'Saint Elisabeth Chapel', 'Saint Margaret Church' and 'Kapuzinerkirche'.

Tisens

One of the world's oldest and largest single vines is in this village. It is of the Versoaln variety and is over 350 years old.

Völs am Schlern

As well as its 'Christmas card' Prösels Castle, the Schlern International Music Festival is held here every summer and attracts well known musicians and students from all over the world.

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Flag of Trentino-Alto Adige
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 13,607 km²
      Population: 994,703
      Density: 73/km²
      Capital: Trento

      National Parks:
      Stelvio National Park
Location of Trentino-Alto Adige
Provinces of Trentino-Alto Adige
  • Comunes of Trentino-Alto Adige
    • Bolzano
      • Aldino
        Andriano
        Anterivo
        Appiano sulla Strada del Vino
        Avelengo
        Badia
        Barbiano
        Bolzano
        Braies
        Brennero
        Bressanone
        Bronzolo
        Brunico
        Caines
        Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
        Campo di Trens
        Campo Tures
        Castelbello-Ciardes
        Castelrotto
        Cermes
        Chienes
        Chiusa
        Cornedo all’Isarco
        Cortaccia sulla Strada del Vino
        Cortina sulla Strada del Vino
        Corvara in Badia
        Curon Venosta
        Dobbiaco
        Egna
        Falzes
        Fiè allo Sciliar
        Fortezza
        Funes
        Gais
        Gargazzone
        Glorenza
        La Valle
        Laces
        Lagundo
        Laion
        Laives
        Lana
        Lasa
        Lauregno
        Luson
        Magrè sulla Strada del Vino
        Malles Venosta
        Marebbe
        Marlengo
        Martello
        Meltina
        Merano
        Monguelfo-Tesido
        Montagna
        Moso in Passiria
        Nalles
        Naturno
        Naz-Sciaves
        Nova Levante
        Nova Ponente
        Ora
        Ortisei
        Parcines
        Perca
        Plaus
        Ponte Gardena
        Postal
        Prato allo Stelvio
        Predoi
        Proves
        Racines
        Rasun Anterselva
        Renon
        Rifiano
        Rio di Pusteria
        Rodengo
        Salorno
        San Candido
        San Genesio Atesino
        San Leonardo in Passiria
        San Lorenzo di Sebato
        San Martino in Badia
        San Martino in Passiria
        San Pancrazio
        Santa Cristina Valgardena
        Sarentino
        Scena
        Selva dei Molini
        Selva di Val Gardena
        Senales
        Senale-San Felice
        Sesto
        Silandro
        Sluderno
        Stelvio
        Terento
        Terlano
        Termeno sulla Strada del Vino
        Tesimo
        Tires
        Tirolo
        Trodena nel parco naturale
        Tubre
        Ultimo
        Vadena
        Val di Vizze
        Valdaora
        Valle Aurina
        Valle di Casies
        Vandoies
        Varna
        Velturno
        Verano
        Villabassa
        Villandro
        Vipiteno

    • Trento
      • Ala
        Albiano
        Aldeno
        Amblar
        Andalo
        Arco
        Avio
        Baselga di Pinè
        Bedollo
        Bersone
        Besenello
        Bieno
        Bleggio Superiore
        Bocenago
        Bolbeno
        Bondo
        Bondone
        Borgo Valsugana
        Bosentino
        Breguzzo
        Brentonico
        Bresimo
        Brez
        Brione
        Caderzone Terme
        Cagnò
        Calavino
        Calceranica al Lago
        Caldes
        Caldonazzo
        Calliano
        Campitello di Fassa
        Campodenno
        Canal San Bovo
        Canazei
        Capriana
        Carano
        Carisolo
        Carzano
        Castel Condino
        Castelfondo
        Castello Tesino
        Castello-Molina di Fiemme
        Castelnuovo
        Cavalese
        Cavareno
        Cavedago
        Cavedine
        Cavizzana
        Cembra
        Centa San Nicolò
        Cimego
        Cimone
        Cinte Tesino
        Cis
        Civezzano
        Cles
        Cloz
        Comano Terme
        Commezzadura
        Condino
        Coredo
        Croviana
        Cunevo
        Daiano
        Dambel
        Daone
        Darè
        Denno
        Dimaro
        Don
        Dorsino
        Drena
        Dro
        Faedo
        Fai della Paganella
        Faver
        Fiavè
        Fiera di Primiero
        Fierozzo
        Flavon
        Folgaria
        Fondo
        Fornace
        Frassilongo
        Garniga Terme
        Giovo
        Giustino
        Grauno
        Grigno
        Grumes
        Imer
        Isera
        Ivano-Fracena
        Lardaro
        Lasino
        Lavarone
        Lavis
        Ledro
        Levico Terme
        Lisignago
        Livo
        Lona-Lases
        Luserna
        Malè
        Malosco
        Massimeno
        Mazzin
        Mezzana
        Mezzano
        Mezzocorona
        Mezzolombardo
        Moena
        Molveno
        Monclassico
        Montagne
        Mori
        Nago-Torbole
        Nanno
        Nave San Rocco
        Nogaredo
        Nomi
        Novaledo
        Ospedaletto
        Ossana
        Padergnone
        Palù del Fersina
        Panchià
        Peio
        Pellizzano
        Pelugo
        Pergine Valsugana
        Pieve di Bono
        Pieve Tesino
        Pinzolo
        Pomarolo
        Pozza di Fassa
        Praso
        Predazzo
        Preore
        Prezzo
        Rabbi
        Ragoli
        Revò
        Riva del Garda
        Romallo
        Romeno
        Roncegno Terme
        Ronchi Valsugana
        Roncone
        Ronzo-Chienis
        Ronzone
        Roverè della Luna
        Rovereto
        Ruffrè-Mendola
        Rumo
        Sagron Mis
        Samone
        San Lorenzo in Banale
        San Michele all’Adige
        Sant’Orsola Terme
        Sanzeno
        Sarnonico
        Scurelle
        Segonzano
        Sfruz
        Siror
        Smarano
        Soraga
        Sover
        Spera
        Spiazzo
        Spormaggiore
        Sporminore
        Stenico
        Storo
        Strembo
        Strigno
        Taio
        Tassullo
        Telve
        Telve di Sopra
        Tenna
        Tenno
        Terlago
        Terragnolo
        Terres
        Terzolas
        Tesero
        Tione di Trento
        Ton
        Tonadico
        Torcegno
        Trambileno
        Transacqua
        Trento
        Tres
        Tuenno

        Valda
        Valfloriana
        Vallarsa
        Varena
        Vattaro
        Vermiglio
        Vervò
        Vezzano
        Vignola-Falesina
        Vigo di Fassa
        Vigo Rendena
        Vigolo Vattaro
        Villa Agnedo
        Villa Lagarina
        Villa Rendena
        Volano
        Zambana
        Ziano di Fiemme
        Zuclo

Trentino-Alto Adige Airports
Hotels in Trentino-Alto Adige
Trentino-Alto AdigeWEATHER
Trentino-Alto Adige Climate (Trento)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 9 2 3 55
Feb 11 3 4 53
Mar 13 4 5 63
Apr 17 7 6 55
May 21 11 8 35
Jun 25 15 9 44
Jul 28 17 10 34
Aug 28 17 9 54
Sep 25 14 7 61
Oct 20 11 6 74
Nov 15 8 4 71
Dec 12 3 3 77
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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