| 
Merano (or Meran) as the German half of town would call it, is in that most un-Italian of regions - Trentino-Alto Adige, lying in Bolzano (Bozen) province. Famed for its spa resorts, this pretty town sits surrounded by Alpine peaks, with two major mountain ranges(the Giogaia di Tessa and the Ortles). The Ortles mountains, a stunning vista of craggy peaks and glaciers, lie within the Parco Nazionale Dello Stelvio, one of Italy's finest national parks. From here, the Passeier, the Val Venosta and Val d'Ultimo valleys radiate outward - yet the town sits in a mild microclimate, where semitropical plants flourish. Sights in the town include the Museum of Tourism and the Botanic Gardens, both of these located in the 15th century Trauttmansdorff Castle. The old heart of town is around the Via dei Portici, and there is a fine Gothic cathedral (Duomo). Sights around Merano include the 10th century Castel Tirolo, with a cable car up to Hochmuter. There is the neo-Gothic Brunnenburg, which was the final home to American poet Ezra Pound, and which now houses an art gallery. The scenery, which is stunning, evokes Germany as much as Italy in this area - the region has only been part of Italy since 1919, formerly being known as South Tyrol. It will be no surprise to find half the population speaking German, and some very German dishes on the menus.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Merano hotels.
|
