Holidays in Merano
Merano has a long tradition as a spa town and destination: not only the Habsburg nobility, but also many famous people appreciated when on holiday in South Tyrol especially the pure air of the spa town and the mild, Mediterranean climate that prevails in the valley throughout the year. The Texel Group protects the city from rain and cold northerly winds and the warm air from the south encourages the growth of plants such as palms and Mediterranean cypresses.
The cultural diversity and the contrasting lifestyle of the spa town of Merano attract still many visitors.
Walking through the old town you can visit museums, exhibitions and galleries, and in the calendar of events you will find not only festivals, but also concerts and theatre performances.
You can experience a completely relaxing spa day when on holiday in Merano in the 25 indoor and outdoor pools of the modern Merano Thermal Baths, the extraordinary beauty of nature is represented on several hectare in the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, go for shopping in trendy fashion boutiques and gastronomy shops under the arcades.
Downtown you can see buildings and monuments from the Middle Ages and the Belle Époque, as well as elegant Art Nouveau buildings, medieval streets, gates and city walls, churches and temples of various religions.
The Race Course of Merano is one of the largest and finest horse race courses in Europe. On the last Sunday in September takes place the “Grand Prix of Merano Forst”, considered the most valuable steeplechase in Europe.
The spa town Merano
The landmark of Merano is the beautiful Kurhaus on the Passerpromenade, but in the old part of the spa town you will find many more sights.
The Laubengasse consists of two rows of houses with low arcades from the Pfarrplatz to the Kornplatz. Decorated facades, beautiful bay window and numerous archways decorate the bowers.
Of the four former medieval city gates of Merano are still preserved the Venosta gate in the west, the oldest of the city gates, the Passiria gate the north with the square tower and the Bolzano gate in the south.
Worth seeing in the city centre are also the Theatre Square, the Rennweg with its medieval buildings, the Sandplatz and the Postbrücke, an Art Nouveau bridge par excellence.
Museums in Merano
In the Municipal Museum at Roter Adler are exhibited archaeological finds, Tyrolean sculptures and paintings. Other interesting exhibitions can be found in the Castello Principesco, the Women’s Museum Evelyn Ortner and the Jewish Museum in the synagogue.
Castle Tyrol above Merano in Tirolo is the ancestral castle of the Counts of Tyrol and now houses the South Tyrolean History and Culture Museum. A little below is there the Bird Care Centre, were flight demonstrations take place daily.
