Knowing Bolzano (Italy)

In the green heart of South Tyrol, a region north of the city of Bolzano, you can define a small European capital as alive and well-established "globalization" in a positive sense. The Italian and German living here for some time now and has gained ground also English. Here was the first university trilingual; trilingual is also the Academy of design, bilingual school of cinema Zelig.

Aleggia were in a pinch of cosmopolitan atmosphere that fosters the growth of new cultural trends and making Bolzano a European city.

Bolzano is located 265 meters above sea level along the axis of Brenner, in the heart of Dolomitica region of Alto Adige. The town is easily accessible by all means, highway, rail and plane and is also along the route of the best-known European path, which connects Lake Constance in Venice.

From a geographical point of view Bolzano enjoys a very fortunate position, the sight of the Dolomites and the confluence of the river and the river Talvera Isarco (which few kilometres downstream predstavljajo to turn in Tyrol), in a sheltered from the winds and sun for the whole day and the year. All roads around strepitose natural beauty of South Tyrol start at Bolzano.

Although Bolzano is recognized as the most cold Italy, in reality it is a primacy.

Tips tied to minimum night, "erased" during the day, even in the middle of winter, on the one enviable as prolonged exposure to the sun, dry climate and the total lack of fog and mist. This is confirmed, in addition to prosper flowers, the old reputation of the district Gries (once Municipality in itself) as a place of treatment, even cures, thanks to a decidedly Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature ranges between 16.6 fact and 6 degrees, sunny days are on average 300 years.

For this Bolzano is also known as the Riviera of the North.

And the peaks above a Mediterranean sky Bolzano live in symbiosis with the green with the great park of Talvera and vineyards, which cover a third of the municipality and come almost to the city center. The slopes stretches eastward are even covered by palms, agaves, cypresses, olive trees in the spring are wonderful contrast with the snowy peaks of the Dolomites in the background.

Bolzano is literally sank in the green countryside around 300 hectares of vineyards surround and sneak between the houses.

The grape reaches far 27 wineries producing wines pluridecorati DOC.

The grape is the most widely slave from which produces wines in Santa Maddalena Colli of Bolzano. Other grape is the Lagrein that can be vinified in Lagrein Kretzer (fermentation without pomace) and Lagrein dark. The Lagrein Bolzano / Gries can carry the name "Lagrein aus Gries" or "Grieser Lagrein.

Every day, at dusk, in all seasons rises to the Kingdom of Laurino, the Rose Garden (Rosengarten) dominated by the peaks of the Dolomites group Rosengarten coloured pink by the light of the setting sun. One natural spectacle not to be missed.

Bolzano has prehistoric origins, but enters history with the establishment of populations Retiche, then with the Roman colonization in 15 Others C., when the Roman legions arrive led by Druso who founded the original nucleus, known as Pons Druze. The first real town, however, was born about 900 years ago as a center of trade along the Via Portici today, mainly in Gothic style, come down to us almost supplements.

Traders concepirono of their houses narrow, but deep to combine housing with warehouses and indoor exhibition space.

Thus were born the two rows of arcades, those of German merchants in the south, the "Italian" to the north. From housing to the first floor controlled the work of their apprentices, and to improve the visual created the so-called Erker, elegant windows exercise.

The wealth circulating under the arcades favors the patronage through which many artists committed themselves to beautify the city.

Again Bolzano confirmed its role as a bridge between two cultures, which works alongside school of Giotto, especially in the convent of the Dominicans, flowers also Gothic art, which is expressed mainly in wooden sculptures, as splendid altar Michael Pacher, while the artist Hans Swabian Lutz designed the cusp filigree of the bell tower and the pulpit sandstone of the cathedral.

The town has grown through the various styles, from baroque to rococo, and even Jugendstil, neo neo-Gothic and Romanesque.

In the'30s, during fascism, under the policy of "italianizzazione" grew the new city: the new districts were born architectural rationalist focused around the Victory Monument, a symbol of an attempt to snazionalizzazione the German-speaking population, also decorated with sculptures, reliefs and frescoes commissioned some of the best artists of the'30s, under the leadership of architect Marcello Piacentini, known for the design of Via della Conciliazione in Rome and other major urban works by Mussolini wanted.

Walking

On foot and in the basin winds bolzanina an extensive network of walks - all easily accessible from the city centre - surrounded by lush vegetation that reflects the fundamental characteristic of the city to be at the meeting point between the Mediterranean and Central European world. Along with plants typical of this latitude are indeed palms, magnolias, opunzie, agaves, arbutus and numerous other plants fat that normally have their habitat in southern regions.

The walks, and Guncina Sant'Osvaldo, that rise halfway up on the slopes of Jenesien and Renon, are the two pearls: besides the beautiful view you have on the city and Dolomti are considered a scientific path for lovers botany. The walks along Talvera lead instead to the two castles for excellence in Bolzano: Castel Mareccio (the castle between vineyards) and Castel Runkelstein (the manor illustrated).

The Walk of Virgolo located on the south side of the city, on the slopes of the hill, connecting Castel Flavon (the castle of holidays) to Virgolo with its Romanesque church of Saint Vigilio.

Walking along the Talvera

The torrent Talvera which comes from Val Sarentino is flanked on its cross section of the city, from parks, lawns, walking and cycling, real green lung in the centre of Bolzano and the area very popular with citizens and guests comfortable and relaxing walks for the Playground space reserved for children and for the many sports, eldorado for lovers of football, baseball and softball. Bridge Druso, Ponte Talvera Bridge and St. Anthony are the three main bridges crossing the river, but other bridges for pedestrians linking the banks of the river allowing routes to ring more or less long.

Walking to Sant'Osvaldo, Guncina

The two walks rise of a hundred metres on cities with a first slightly uphill, softened by a series of serpentine, and then nearly flat half-coast as a terrace - with a magnificent view of the city and mountains that around. Walking under Sant'Osvaldo colleague Sant'Antonio with Santa Maddalena, the beautiful and picturesque hill wine with the background of the massive dolomitic Rosengarten, iconographic image of the city and production area of delicious wine autochthonous Santa Maddalena. The walk of Guncina, dedicated to its founder - Henry Archduke of Austria - winds on the slopes of Jenesien by Gries, the district bolzanino who was, until 1925, Common separate and known health resort and residence Empire of the Habsburg Empire.

This is a location where the Mediterranean and subtropical flora develops in a lush and varied and is considered an attraction botany of great interest and fascination. Each plant is labeled strictly as well as its scientific name, even with the Italian and German. Numerous benches site in viewpoints allow broad views on the city and the Dolomites. The return can be carried out by the walk del rio Fago built recently and showing ilviandante on walks along Talvera and then in the city centre.

Walk of Virgolo

This is a path that winds on the slopes of the hill, south of the city. The access to district Oltrisarco namely from Castel Flavon, recently renovated and used for parties, meetings and convivial for, among ancient walls, cheerful and happy hour in the company. The walk through a mixed forest ceduo and has an interesting and unusual view of the city from south to north, with the highlands of Salto del Renon in the background. Connect with the Castel Flavon Virgolo, one of the areas of the city inhabited since prehistoric times and still retains a charm and a unique spirituality with the Romanesque church of San Vigilio (ask the key to the house below) and the baroque church of Calvary.

Ski

Three cable cars for a leap in paradise

Bolzano is located 265 meters above sea level and is lying in a basin surrounded by mountains. In a few minutes you can then plunge into the purest and sparkling, with three leading cable cars on the sunny meadows and woods Jenesien, dell'Altopiano del Renon and on the hill. A share oscillating between 1000 and 1400 metres, you can enjoy the fantastic spectacle of the Dolomites, through sunny pastures or breathing deeply the delicate aromas typical of the woods.

The view from these plateaus goes to the ends of the region.

Jenesien and plateau of Salto

From the Plateau Monzoccolo (Tschögglberg) which overlooks the town of Jenesien enjoys the most fascinating view of the Rosengarten up. Unforgettable the spectacle offered by forests of Salto at sunset when the Dolomite peaks is a dark red heated up.

Colle

Travel on the cableway del Colle and 'how to make a giant leap backward. It is the oldest cableway.

Of the world, of course modernized.

One of the original vagoncini built at the beginning of the century and displayed at the station upstream worth a visit.

Renon

The Riviera Dolomite a sunny offers a breathtaking view on the scenario of the Dolomites and Siusi, a paradise for hikers and skiers.