| Merano | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms  | ||
| State | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Trentino Alto Adige | |
| Territory | South Tyrol | |
| Altitude | 325 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 26.34 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 39.462 (2015) | |
| Name inhabitants | Meranesi / Meraner | |
| Prefix tel | 39 0473 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 39012 | |
| Patron | San Nicolò (December 6) | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Merano (Meran in German, Maran in Ladin) is a city ofSouth Tyrol.
To know
The tourist importance of Merano lies above all in its spas [1], located in the center of the riverside at the intersection with via Roma. After Bolzano, is the second largest city in theSouth Tyrol. Despite this second place it is still a primary destination for tourists, who appreciate both the culture and the landscape. In fact, in Merano there are countless testimonies of history among castles, mines and ancient residences. In addition, there is also a landscape full of gardens, walks and parks. Merano also expresses its tradition in the architecture, the ancient shopping center, the arcades, the Gothic bell towers, the severe castles, the Puccini Theater, the "Kurhaus" building in Art Nouveau style, are moments of curiosity, corners full of charm. Even the gastronomy in Merano has kept its flavors unchanged in a welcoming setting. Alongside the typical dishes of Tyrolean cuisine you can find the finest expressions of international cuisine. From prestigious hotels to family-run establishments, to shopping and catering, Merano's sense of hospitality is truly unique.
Geographical notes
Merano is located at the intersection of the Venosta, Passiria and Adige valleys. The particular geographical position positively affects the climate, typically Mediterranean as evidenced by the presence of numerous species of plants of exotic origin.
Background
The name of Merano, once Mairania, made its first appearance in the year 857. In the thirteenth century Merano was just a small village at the foot of Monte San Benedetto that embraced today's district of Steinach. In the Middle Ages it was a fief of the Bishops of Trento and later of the Counts of Tirolo. Under the Counts of Tirolo, in 1317, Merano became the capital of Tyrol. With the last descendant of the Tyrol, Margareta Maultasch, Merano passed to the Habsburgs in 1363 and it was under this family that with the transfer of the role of capital of Tyrol to Innsbruck in the fifteenth century and the transfer of the Meranese mint, where the famous Tirolino was coined , in Hall, near Innsbruck, its decline began.
As a health resort and tourist resort, it began to develop from the second half of the last century, thanks to the beneficial effects of its healthy climate, and to the treatment of grapes and milk. In 1933 the radioactive sources of San Vigilio and Quarazze (Fonte di San Martino) were discovered and the history of thermal Merano began, whose treatments today are carried out in a modern establishment.
Among the many illustrious guests are remembered in 1870 the Empress of Austria Elisabeth and in 1920 Franz Kafka.
How to orient yourself
Merano: full screen map.Merano is located in a valley crossed by the Passirio, a tributary of the Adige and squeezed between the slopes of the Tessa mountains and the Salto plateau.
The train station is located on the north bank, west of the center and at the bottom of the Viale Europa. A continuation of the avenue is Course of Liberty which runs parallel to the Passirio. A little further north of the Corso della Libertà is there via Portici that connects the piazza del Grano with Piazza del Duomo crossing the old center of Merano.
After the liberty-style bridge of the Post office or that of the Theater, you enter the south bank where, between the streets Piave is Giuseppe Garibaldi there is a large green area that encloses the Terme di Merano complex.
Neighborhoods
Its municipal territory includes, in addition to the city, the villages of Maia Alta (Obermais), Maia Bassa (Untermais), Quarazze (Gratsch) and Sinigo (Sinich).
How to get
Merano is just 30 km from Bolzano.
By plane
The closest airport is that of Bolzano with reduced traffic. Other airports that can be considered are those of Verona and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
By car
The nearest motorway exit is that of Bolzano on the Brenner motorway Merano from Modena (A22), Milan (A4), Verona (A22) to the Bolzano Sud exit. From there take the MeBo freeway which takes you to Merano in about 20 minutes. From the highway you can exit at Sinigo, Merano Sud, or at Foresta, Lagundo.
State roads 44 intersect there of the Val di Non and 38 of the Stelvio.
There is also a connection to the west with the Val Venosta state road that crosses the Resia Pass.
On the train
Merano is connected to Bolzano from a railway line crossed by Intercity, Eurocity and Eurostar trains and reachable from all the main Italian cities. Regional trains from Merano to Bolzano run every 30 minutes. From there you can take the connection to Merano, which takes you to your destination in about 40 minutes.
For train timetables you can consult the website www.sii.bz.it.
By bus
Between Bolzano and Merano there are connections almost every hour.
For bus timetables you can consult the website www.sii.bz.it.
How to get around
By public transport
The bus lines, both in the center and in the surrounding area, are all connected to the station. Even in the city center there is the possibility to take all available lines.
The South Tyrol Integrated Transport Service allows you to use the bus, train and city bus using a single ticket (value card available for € 5, 10 and 25). Particularly convenient for guests is the weekly ticket at a price of € 25 for 30 trips and with no travel limit, which is valid only for coaches.
Value cards and tickets are available at tobacconists, ticket offices and inside buses for suburban transport. The weekly ticket can be found in the ticket offices and at the tourist offices.
What see
- Kurhaus, Corso Libertà, 33, 39012 Merano Bolzano, Itala. Built in 1874 in Art Nouveau style by the architect Friedrich Ohmann, the Kurhaus is the symbol of Merano. It was born as a place of entertainment with games and dance halls. Today its spaces are mainly used for congresses and concerts
- Cathedral of San Nicolò, Via Portici. Gothic church from the early 13th century with an elaborate rose window and interesting frescoes. The bell tower is 83 m high.
- Princely Castle, Via Galileo Galilei.
Open from March to the first Sunday of January, from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00, on Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 13.00, closed on Mondays. Palace from the 2nd half of the 15th century which served as a residence for the Duke Sigismund of Austria. In the following centuries it fell into disrepair. It was acquired by the municipality of Merano which in 1878 entrusted the restoration works to the architect Friedrich von Schmidt, the same who had overseen the restoration of the cathedral in Vienna. It was opened to the public two years later - Schloss Trauttmansdorff (Castel di Nova), Via San Valentino 51a. Castle built in 1846 by the counts of Styria on the site of another from the 15th century that belonged to the Trauttmansdorff family. Empress Sissi stayed in the castle a couple of times to undergo spa treatments. In 1990 the castle was acquired by the provincial administration which arranged for the interior to be arranged Touriseum, museum illustrating the history of tourism in South Tyrol while the fabulous gardens were adapted to botanical gardens.
- Sissi statue (At the end of the summer walk). The white marble statue of Princess Sissi who loved to stay in Merano.
- Civic Museum Red Eagle Merano, via delle Corse 42 / a, ☎ 39 0473 236015.
- Jewish Museum, Via Friedrich Schiller 14, ☎ 39 0473 236127. Small museum that occupies the spaces of a synagogue from the early 1900s
- 'Evelyn Ortner' Women's Museum, Arcades 68.
Open from March to the first Sunday of January, from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00, on Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 13.00, closed on Mondays. Palace from the 2nd half of the 15th century which served as a residence for the Duke Sigismund of Austria. In the following centuries it fell into disrepair. It was acquired by the municipality of Merano which in 1878 entrusted the restoration works to the architect Friedrich von Schmidt, the same who had overseen the restoration of the cathedral in Vienna. It was opened to the public two years laterEvents and parties
In Merano, folklore is a living tradition and finds expression in many events including:
- Grape festival. In October. Traditional festival.
- Rustic races. Easter Monday. Haflinger horse racing.
For South Tyrol, music has ancient roots and has always offered outstanding initiatives to enthusiasts such as:
- International Festival of Merano Music Weeks.
- Musik Meran concert season.
What to do
Merano is famous in winter for the renowned ski facilities of Merano2000. The slopes are ideal for those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding or for those who enjoy hiking in the snow.
The "Le terme" swimming pool is a complex of covered swimming pools intended for relaxation and, in summer, also some outdoor pools also intended for sports activities, surrounded by lawns, during holidays the facility is very popular, often there are queues at the entrance.
- Merano Thermal Baths, Piazza Terme, 9, ☎ 39 0473 252 000. The Terme building is located in the city center and is surrounded by Mediterranean gardens. The complex has more than 25 swimming pools. An oasis of relaxation and a place of well-being with many sparkling attractions.
- Hippodrome of Maia. Inaugurated in 1936, considered the most beautiful in Europe, obstacle and flat courses are held here.
- Sports Facilities. Swimming pools, ice rink, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a riding school, an equestrian club (home to prestigious competitions), a rock gym for freeclimbing and there are various possibilities to practice all kinds of sports (fishing, swimming, skating, paragliding, hang gliding, canoeing, climbing, horse racing, mountain biking, skateboarding etc.).
- Canoe. Canoeists from all over the world consider the Passirio, which crosses Merano, to be one of the most fascinating mountain streams.
- Walk Along Passirio. Here you can enjoy the mild climate and the Mediterranean flair of Merano.
- Tappeiner walk. This promenade was built in 1893 by Dr. Franz Tappeiner. Between 1908 and 1928 it was enlarged and is currently 4 kilometers long.
- Excursions. In the surroundings of Merano there are many possibilities for those who love walking, there are countless destinations for walks, excursions, sightseeing tours, summit climbs, ridge routes, everyone can pleasantly plan their own trip to the mountains.
- Bicycle. For those who love cycling, there are roads that lead to both Val Passiria and Val Venosta.
- Ski. Even in the winter months, there is the possibility to indulge in white sport, thanks to the nearby ski fields of Merano 2000 and the various ski centers in the surroundings, where it is also possible to practice summer skiing (Val Senales).
Shopping
- The Porticoes. Ideal for all types of shopping, from supermarkets to clothing stores.
How to have fun
Night clubs
- Café Forum, Via Leonardo da Vinci 11.
- Rossini Bar, Freedom Course 19.
- Sketch Clublounge, Walk along Passirio 40.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- McDonald's, Via Roma 205, ☎ 39 0473 392344. Mon - Sun: 07:00 - 01:00. The services are McDrive and McCafé
Average prices
- Kallmünz restaurant, Piazza Rena 12.
- Forsterbräu Merano, Liberty Course, 90, ☎ 39 0473 236535. South Tyrolean cuisine, pasta, fish, brewery.
- Laubenkeller, Via Portici, 118, ☎ 39 0473 237706. Tyrolean cuisine
- Engele Restaurant Pizzeria, Via Roma, 113, ☎ 39 0473 238216.
High prices
- Sissi restaurant (Andrea Fenoglio), Via G. Galilei 44, ☎ 39 0473 231062. The best restaurant in Merano according to the 2012 Michelin Guide (one star on an equal footing with the restaurant located inside the Castel Fragsburg hotel.)
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Living Apartments Morgenstern, via Winkel 43 / A, Merano, ☎ 39 0473 234469, @[email protected].
50 € / day / 2pers. - Villa Freiheim, G. Parinistraße 1, ☎ 39 0473 23 73 42, fax: 39 0473 25 81 85, @[email protected]. starting from 40 € (for a double room, price per person).
- Kolpinghaus Meran, Cavourstraße 101, ☎ 39 0473 25 32 00, fax: 39 0473 25 32 80, @[email protected]. ab 52 € (Dz p.P. hP).
- Lindenhof, Labers 29, ☎ 39 0473-234015, @[email protected]. ab € 33.00 per person.
- Sittnerhof Farm, Verdistraße 60, ☎ 39 0473-221631, @[email protected]. ab 45,00 € p.P.ÜF / Appartement.
50 € / day / 2pers.Average prices
- Hotel Europa Splendid, Freiheitsstr. 178, ☎ 39 0473 232376. ab 55 € (DZ p.P.).
- Meranerhof Hotel, Alessandro Manzoni Str. 1, ☎ 39 0473 23 02 30, fax: 39 0473 233312, @[email protected]. ab 123.00 € p.P..
- Ladurner hotels, Horace Gaigher 13, ☎ 39 0473 23 72 14, fax: 39 0473 23 70 57, @[email protected]. ab 60 € (DZ p.P.).
- Pollinger, Maria-Trost-Straße 30, ☎ 39 0473-270004, fax: 39 0473-210665, @[email protected]. ab € 69.00 p.P..
- Westend hotels, Via Speckbacher 9, ☎ 39 0473 447654, fax: 39 0473 222 726, @[email protected]. from 50,00 €. Check-out: 11:00. The Westend Hotel is a splendid period villa along the promenades of the Passirio, just a few minutes from the center of Merano.
- Zea Curtis hotel, Via S. Maria del Conforto 24, ☎ 39 0473 234046, @[email protected].
High prices
- Hotel Terme Merano, Spa square 1, ☎ 39 0473 259-000, @[email protected]. to 135 €.
- Palace, Cavourstr. 2-4, ☎ 39 0473 271000. ab 140 € (DZ p.P.).
- Park Hotel Mignon (Park Hotel Mignon), Via K. Grabmayr 5, ☎ 39 0473 230353, @[email protected]. from 110 € (DZ p.P.). A warm welcome to the 5-Star-Hotel Mignon, where nature kisses the city. Luxurious hotel in the heart of Merano and at the same time a wellness hotel surrounded by greenery!
- Adria hotel (Adria hotel), Via Hermann Gilm 2, ☎ 39 0473 236610, @[email protected]. from 130 € (p.P.). The hotel is located in Maia Alta, the quiet villa district of Merano, and is surrounded by a lush garden. Beyond the high hedges there is not an anonymous hotel like many others, but a unique and original jewel in Art Nouveau architecture.
- Marlena, Nörderstrasse 6, ☎ 39 39 0473 222266, @[email protected]. from 85 €.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Bolzano - Main city of South Tyrol is the administrative and economic capital. Its historic center admirably blends the Nordic architectural and urban characteristics with the Italian ones, showing itself with a tone of elegant elegance.
Itineraries
- Castles of South Tyrol - A journey to discover the South Tyrolean manors which, born for military purposes, later became largely refined stately homes, centers of culture, examples of fine architecture, testimony to the greatness of the families who built them.
- Valle dell'Adige cycle path
