Bolzano’s main square Live Cam

The city of Bolzano, capital of South Tyrol, is placed in a dip at 265 m above sea level. surrounded by splendid mountains. There are around 98.000 inhabitants belonging to three linguistic groups (approx. 70% Italians, 26% Germans and a small percentage of Ladins). It is situated on one of the main axes of motorways and railways connecting the North of Europe with Italy. Because of its geographically privileged position it has always been an important trading, commercial, tourist and economic centre. From 28th march 1999 Bolzano has a new Airport, called ABD-Airport Bolzano Dolomiti. Now the city has been connected to international airports as Rome, Frankfurt and Vienna as well.

A walk, a trip in the country, or a hike? The routes we are proposing are meant to make you feel like discovering the attractions of the city and its surroundings in the simplest and healthiest way: on foot. The choice ranges from a walk in the middle of typically Mediterranean vegetation to a hike through meadows, forests and mountain pastures. The departure and arrival of every tour is always the heart of Bolzano.

In fact, thanks to its three cableways (that run all year around and whose valley stations are not far from the old town centre) one can reach the "upper levels" of the city in just a few minutes, at an altitude of more than 1000 m, and wander into a wonderful alpine scenario of exceptional charm and tranquillity.

Here are two proposals for a walk lasting 2-3 hours: recommended seasons are spring or autumn, the altitude change is approximately 140 m for the first walk and 200 m for the second.

Walks along the Lungotalvera di Bolzano/Bozner Wassermauerpromenade and Passeggiata Sant'Osvaldo/ Oswaldpromenade.

At the Ponte Talvera/Talferbrücke bridge, one takes (coming from Via Museo/Museumsstraße) the promenade of Lungotalvera di Bolzano/Bozner Wassermauerpromenade to the right, full of flower-beds, subtropical plants and trees. After 400 m, one of the most picturesque views of Bolzano opens up to the right: in the foreground is a large vineyard with Castel Mareccio/Schloß Maretsch, in the background the numerous bell towers and sloping roofs of the old town centre, then the rounded hill of Santa Maddalena/St. Magdalena with its vineyards and on the horizon the magical profile of Rosengarten - Catinaccio, next to the slender Torri del Vajolet.

After approximately half an hour of easy zigzag uphill walking with several chances to rest on panoramic benches, one reaches a junction. To the left the path continues uphill and leads in approximately 20 minutes to the Peter Ploner trattoria, to the right it goes down and takes you back to the town centre, straight on it continues level as far as hotel Eberle and the wine producing village of Santa Maddalena/St. Magdalena with the small church with frescoes dating from about 1370. From here it takes around 20 minutes to return to the city.

Gries - Passeggiata Arciduca Enrico/Erzherzog Heinrich Promenade - Guncina/Guntschna.

From Piazza Gries/Grieserplatz, featuring on the northern side the complex of the Abbazia dei Benedettini di Muri/Benediktinerabtei Muri abbey in Gries with the baroque church frescoed by Martin Knoller, go along Via Knoller to arrive at Vecchia Parrocchiale di Nostra Signora/Alte Grieser Pfarrkirche which contains a wooden altar by Michael Pacher, one of the most important artistic masterpieces in South Tyrol. After a few meters you reach the beginning of the promenade on the left. Commissioned by Archduke Heinrich of Habsburg, who had a passion for botany, it was inaugurated on October 30th 1892.

Still today it is structured as a botanical path, characterised as it is by typically Mediterranean and exotic plants: opuntias, agaves, olive trees, cork oaks, bitter orange, myrtle, yucca and strawberry tree. This botanical marvel is renewed every year thanks to the especially mild thermal conditions of the area and the geomorphological characteristics of the porphyry rock that stores the summer heat and slowly releases it during the winter months.

Following the path slightly uphill, you can reach the provincial road of San Genesio/Jenesien after 40-50 minutes and then go downhill, following the path laid out in the ravine of Rio Fago/Fagenbach until the path meets Via Miramonti/Reichrieglerweg (view of the cylindrical tower of Troyenstein - Druso) and Via Cadorna/Cadorna Straße.

Bolzano is rightly considered the European capital of mountain-biking thanks to its suitable position in the heart of South Tyrol, the connections with its surroundings (three cableways take you in just a few minutes to over 1000 metres altitude to the Salto/Salten, Colle/Kohlern and Renon/Ritten Highlands) and the dense network of connections with the main tourist resorts of the Province. The Highlands are indeed a paradise for lovers of mountain-biking, who are surrounded by the splendid scenarios of the Dolomite rock-walls, open landscapes, pastureland looking like gardens and typical, welcoming hotels and taverns, where time seems to have stood still.

On April and May, Piazza Walther/Waltherplatz becomes a sea of colours in the traditional Flower Festival. Fifteen gardeners and flower-growers propose a whole series of green plants and flowers for gardens, balconies, windows and kitchen-gardens. On both days the animation programme features classical and jazz music, games and entertainment for children as well as a carriage for an interesting tour of the old town centre.

The second half of May is devoted to wine: the appointment is in the prestigious seat of Castel Mareccio/ Schloß Maretsch with the International Wine-Tasting and Exhibition. 300 wines are presented through commented tasting, wine tournaments and comparisons at the highest levels. It is an occasion to look closer at the sector's economy but also to simply enjoy a glass of good wine.

The Bolzano Summer is the season of culture

In the second half of July, dance is in the limelight: festivals and workshops for both professionals and amateurs follow one another in national premières and breathless training. The Festival proposes a rich calendar with various national premières while internationally renowned instructors teach the secrets of jazz and classical dancing, flamenco and hip hop in Bolzano gyms.

The Tourist Board proposes holiday packages of one or two weeks with inviting offers for "Bolzano Dance" and to get to know the town and its surroundings with guided tours, museum entrances, swims at the Lido and many other surprises.

During the first days of August, Bolzano hosts the Festival of Youth Orchestras. Bolzano is, by tradition, the first stop of the "Gustav Mahler" Youth Orchestra's tour, directed by outstanding Maestros like Pierre Boulez, Stefan Reck e Peter Guth. Moreover the European Union Youth Orchetra, directed by Vladimir Ashkenazy will enthuse classic music loves. The young musicians perform at the Palasport/Stadthalle in Via Resia/Reschenstraße.

In the end of August piano talents compete in the International Piano Competition Ferruccio Busoni: for two weeks music is the protagonist in the rooms of the Music Conservatory in Piazza Domenicani/Dominikanerplatz. Some talents' carreer has even started in Bolzano.

In September the Trade Fair opens in the new pavilions of the Bolzano Fair in Piazza Fiera/Messeplatz. This economic and trade event has taken place without interruption since 1947 and brings to life again the mercantile and commercial vocation of Bolzano which hosted as many as four fairs in the Middle Ages.

This year, the event is accompanied by the interesting "Spectaculum 2000". Around sixty tradesmen and exhibitors produce and sell in the streets of the old town centre typical medieval products, such as spices, clothes, cereals, fruits and vegetables, candles and gastronomic products. There will be entertainment events for adults and children.

The winter season opens with the atmosphere of:

The traditional Christmas market is held in Piazza Walther/Waltherplatz in the Advent period until December 23rd. Everyday, from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. around 80 exhibitors present the most typical South Tyrolean Christmas decorations, Christmas pastries, small gift objects and many other curiosities. The lights and perfumes of Advent are the protagonists together with the rich cultural programme featuring songs, music and old barrel-organs. The market closes with a charming living nativity scene.

The middle distance gazelles compete on December 31st in the streets of the centre. Internationally renowned athletes animate the afternoon in a breathless race, before the new year arrives. Music and gastronomic products accompany the event in Piazza Walther/Waltherplatz.

In the entire region it is easy to find both international cuisine dishes and the most famous Italian regional specialities like typical first course dishes, ossobuco (braised veal shanks), tiramisu. But since you are in South Tyrol, why not try one of the typical Tyrolean dishes.

South Tyroleans know how to use all that Mother Nature offers them and prepare delicious and nutritious dishes based on Austrian traditions enriched by encounters with other cultures.

One should not be intimidated by apparently unpronounceable names like Schlutzkrapfen, Spinatspatzln, Herrengröstl, Zwetschgenknödel, Kaiserschmarren or Tirtln. All restaurants will be happy to help their guests choose by explaining the ingredients of each and every speciality.

The cuisine offers a very wide variety of white and wholemeal brown bread of up to 100 different kinds. Naturally one has to taste some of the excellent local wines, infused with harmonic equilibrium and a soft body by the sun of this alpine land which has made them much appreciated products in Italy and abroad.

On the hills surrounding the dip of Bolzano, from Santa Maddalena/St. Magdalena to Costa and as far as Settequerce/Siebeneich, grow alongside all sorts of fruits the Schiava gentile, Schiava grigia and Schiavone or Schiava meranese grapes. Using the right proportions one obtains a full-bodied red wine, without doubt the best from South Tyrol: the Santa Maddalena.

Close to the area of S. Maddalena its "brother" matures. The name is Colli di Bolzano and it is obtained by mixing the grapes of Schiava and Lagrein. This wine is second only to S. Maddalena regarding full-bodiedness and agreeability. The third local wine is Lagrein Scuro and rosé.

By vocation, Bolzano has been the meeting place for different cultures for centuries. Therefore it is well equipped for conference tourism. Very close to the town centre, at Castel Mareccio/Schloß Maretsch, surrounded by vineyards, the Tourist Board has created a highly prestigious and efficient Conference Centre.

With its frescoed rooms and the unmistakable medieval Romanesque features, Castel Mareccio/ Schloß Maretsch is a rarity among conference premises in Italy from the architectural, environmental, logistic and technical point of view. Several hotels and cultural centres offer suitably equipped conference rooms.

The Museo Archeologico/Archäologisches Museum is the new home of the Similaun Man, the approximately 5300 year old mummy found in 1991 on the glacier of Similaun. The exhibition area is 1200 square meters, distributed on 4 floors, and presents the history of South Tyrol from its dawn to the beginning of the Middle Ages, with original finds, models, holograms, videos and audio guides.

The mummy, now nicknamed "Ötzi", is preserved on the first floor together with the story of the find and reports of a medical-scientific nature. In temperature controlled glass cases the clothes and tools found by the side of "Ötzi" are also on display.