Bolzano Attractions
Bolzano (in German Bozen), capital of the autonomous province of the same name, lies in a fertile basin at the junction of the River Isarco (Eisack), coming from the Brenner, with the Talvera (Talfer), coming from Val Sarentina.
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Passo di Pennes
Passo di Pennes (Penser Joch; 2,211m/7,296ft), with magnificent views, particularly of the peaks in the Ötz and Stubai valleys (Zuckerhütl; 3,507m/11,573ft).
Renón
Northeast of Bolzano is the Renón (Ritten), an extensive porphyry plateau lying between the Talvera and the Isarco, reached by an excellent road (17km/11mi) from Bolzano.
St John's Chapel
In the adjoining St John's Chapel are frescoes of the school of Giotto (1330-50), including a fine "Triumph of Death". The cloister of the former Dominican monastery (now the Conservatoire) has frescoes by Michael Pacher and other artists.
Auna di Sotto
Auna di Sotto (Unterinn, 908m/2,996ft), where a narrow road (5km/3mi) branches off, past the little Lago di Castro, to Soprabolzano (Oberbozen, 1,220m/4,026ft), which can also be reached by cableway from Bolzano.
Bolzano Trade Fair
The Viale Venezia runs south to the Lido (open-air and indoor swimming pools and other sports facilities). A little way west of this are the grounds of the Bolzano Trade Fair, with the Palazzo della Fiera. From here the Corso Italia runs north past the massive Law Courts to the Piazza Mazzini, where it meets the Corso Libertà, a street which runs west, lined by tall arches, from the Victory Monument and continues to the main square of Gries.
Campolasta, Italy
(Near Bolzano)
Campolasta (Astfeld; 1,023m/3,376ft), a pretty village at the junction of two valleys - to the right the Valdurna (Durnholzer Tal), with the village of the same name, situated on the beautiful Lago di Valdurna (Durnholzer See; 12km/7mi; 1,568m/5,174ft); to the left the pretty Val di Pennes (Penser Tal). Going up the Val di Pennes, the road climbs gradually, coming in 9km/6mi to the Alpenrose inn (on left). It then continues past a reservoir and the modest Edelweiss inn, running along the slope of the hillside.
Castel Mareccio (Castel Sant'Antonio)
From the Lungotalvera Bolzano, which begins at the Municipal Museum and follows the east bank of the Talvera for 1,300m/0.75mi, there are fine views of Monte Sciliar and the Catinaccio group. A little way along this promenade, on the right, is Castel Mareccio (Schloss Maretsch, 13th-16th centuries), with five towers, now a Congress Center. At the north end of the promenade is the 17th century Castel Sant'Antonio (Schloss Klebenstein).
Castel Roncolo
Above Castel Sant'Antonio in Bolzano on a precipitous porphyry crag stands the 13th century Castel Roncolo (361m/1,191ft), with frescoes of the 14th-15th centuries. Since 1893 the castle has belonged to the community of Bolzano.
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Collalbo
Collalbo (Klobenstein, 1,190m/3,927ft), which, like Soprabolzano, is a popular summer resort, with superb views of the Dolomites. To the north, in the Fosco gorge beyond Longomoso (Lengmoos), are interesting earth pyramids which are reached in 30 minutes.
Dominican Church
To the west of the Piazza Walther in Bolazano is the Gothic Dominican church (13th century; remodeled in 1498 as a hall-church with three naves), with fine late 14th century frescoes.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Closed |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
Dosso
Beyond the pass the road descends (gradient of 10%), at first high up on the bare slopes above the Val di Dosso (Eggertal). In 8km/5mi, below the Schönblick inn, it comes to the hamlet of Dosso (Egg), with a chapel. It then runs down through forest country, with picturesque glimpses of the Isarco valley (Sterzing, Burg Sprechenstein). Then a steep descent (13%) into the Isarco valley, joining the road from the Passo di Monte Giovo shortly before reaching the parish church of Sterzing.
Franciscan Monastery
A little way north of the fruit market in Bolzano stands the Franciscan monastery. Its church (originally 13th-15th centuries), has 20th century stained-glass windows; concerts are held in the adjoining late Romanesque cloisters (14th century). In the Lady Chapel is a fine Late Gothic altar of carved wood by Hans Klocker (c. 1500). Farther east stands the Late Gothic church of the Teutonic Order (Deutschhauskirche).
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
Municipal Museum
From the fruit market the Via del Museo runs west to the Municipal Museum, with archeological material, peasant house interiors, traditional costumes, folk art and works by local artists.
Bolzano Museo Civico
Via Cassa di Risparmio 14
I-39100 Bolzano
Italy
Via Cassa di Risparmio 14
I-39100 Bolzano
Italy
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The east end of the pedestrian precinct leads into the Via Sernesi; here can be found the Museum of Modern Art, with contemporary sculptures in the courtyard (temporary exhibitions).
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Via Dante
I-39100 Bolzano
Italy
Via Dante
I-39100 Bolzano
Italy
Pennes, Italy
(Near Bolzano)
Pennes (Pens; 1,459m/4,815ft), a straggling village, which is the chief settlement of the valley. The road then climbs more steeply up the bare hillside, with three sharp bends: to the left is the Corno Bianco (Weisshorn; 2,705m/8,927ft).
Sarantino, Italy
(Near Bolzano)
Sarantino (Sarnthein; 981m/3,237ft), the chief place in the valley, a beautifully situated little town which is a favorite summer holiday resort. Two castles stand here: Regino (Reineck, 13th century) and Kränzelstein. The little church of San Cipriano contains over-painted 16th century frescoes. Picturesque local costumes are worn on Sundays. The road continues from Sarantino up the Val Sarantina to the Passo di Pennes.
Sterzing - Multscher Museum, Italy
(Near Bolzano)
Sterzing (Vipiteno; 948m/3,128ft), an old village popular as a summer and winter sports resort. In the Multscher Museum there are painted panels and carvings by the Master of Ulm.
Town Hall
At the east end of Via dei Portici in Bolzano, in a small square, stands the Town Hall, a building in Baroque style erected in 1907; at the west end of the street is the fruit market, with a Neptune Fountain (1777).
Triumphal Arch
To the west of the Talvera extends the predominantly Italian new town. Just west of the Talvera Bridge is a large triumphal arch, the Victory Monument (Monumento della Vittoria, 1928).
Via dei Portici
To the north of Piazza Walther in Bolzano is the arcaded Via dei Portici (Laubengasse) the town's principal shopping and commercial street (pedestrian precinct with textile shops, perfumeries and boutiques), with fine 17th century town houses. The fine Palazzo Mercantile (1708-27; now the Chamber of Commerce) on the south side of the street, is the only example of an Italian palazzo in Bolzano (fine hall for conferences, etc.).
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
