Very sunny and well sheltered from the wind, the Winter Promenade runs along the river; it is the natural continuation of the Passer Promenade. Its most distinctive landmark is the Wandelhalle covered passageway, which provides shelter from inclement weather. The Wandelhalle also houses a gallery of paintings depicting landscapes of South Tyrol and busts of significant figures in the city’s history.
The "Human Shapes" project is a tribute to ten personalities from the past, who made a significant contribution to Merano’s cultural life during the course of their lives. The project embraced a wide temporal arch. It draws back to the theme of the plastic representation of the human shape, although it supports a free interpretation through contemporary art’s expressive means. The "Human Shapes" project has given life to an open-air art gallery along the Passer Promenade, between the Theater Bridge and the Iron Bridge. Every year, three to four busts of influential personalities were created.
Find out more at www.kunstmeranoarte.org
The modern indoor pool offers a sports pool (25 x 21m), a non-swimmers' pool (12 x 9m) and a further pool for diving with a mobile floor and is accessible from mid-September to mid-May.
The large glazed area on the north side of the building offers a picturesque view of the racecourse and the Mutspitze. Swimming lessons and aqua fitness are offered in the indoor swimming pool.
This cathedral is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants, entrepreneurs and carters. It stands in what was once the commercial center of the town, where goods coming from north and south were traded. The construction started in 1302 and continued until the middle of the 15th century. It is a large Gothic "hall" church. The south side, facing the main market square, was richly decorated and became the main facade. The Gotic portals are richly decorated, and there is a fine 14th century statue of St. Nicholas and an imposing late 15th century fresco of Saint Christopher on this facade. Masses (in German only) Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sundays: 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
This scenic route, known as the Sentiero di Sissi in Italian and the Sissiweg in German, leads to the areas of town most beloved by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi. The charming Habsburg sovereign stayed in Merano several times in the second half of the nineteenth century, and was enchanted by its charm. This path dedicated to her connects the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle with the city centre; it passes through eleven stages along the way, each with a story to tell. From the castle that majestically dominates the botanical gardens, Sissi’s Path winds its way past Pienzenau and Rubein Castles, the Reichenbach Residence, Piazza Fontana (Brunnenplatz), Rottenstein Castle, and the Bavaria Hotel; it then continues down to the river, crosses the Roman Bridge, skirts the Wandelhalle and finally pays homage to the empress in the park dedicated to her. The park is on the edge of the Summer Promenade and there is a statue erected in Sissi’s honour. Obviously, the trail can be followed in either direction.
The Tappeinerweg Trail runs above the city from east to west. In addition to excellent sunlight, the path offers sweeping views of the town below, the Merano Valley Basin and down into the Adige Valley.
Franz Tappeiner, a doctor and medical researcher from Val Venosta who was a passionate proponent of tourism in Merano, created the promenade and donated it to the city. The four-kilometre-long path splits off from the Gilf Promenade and follows the curve of Monte Benedetto until it reaches Quarazze. In addition to typical local vegetation, cork oak, eucalyptus, lotus, pine, various species of palms including Chinese palms, bamboo, cactus, agave, magnolias and olive trees are planted along the path.
There are numerous access points from the town centre:
• the steps leading up from behind the Duomo (main cathedral) along the road that leads to Dorf Tyrol
• from Via Galilei near the chairlift to Dorf Tyrol
• near the Silvana hill on Via Verdi - CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
• from the Gilf-Promenade past the Gunppowder Tower
• on the orographic right side of the Ponte Romano
Various inns and restaurants along the path.
Please note that the Tappeinerweg is exclusively a pedestrian zone. Riding bicycles or other vehicles is prohibited.
In 1271 Meinhard II built the hospital an the adjoining Church of the Holy Spirit outside the walls of the town. The building is a fine longitudinal German Gothic "hall" church. The facade, which is sumounted by a small bell-tower, is divided up by buttresses and a very fine double ogival portal, decorated with the symbols of the Trinity and the kneeling figures fo the people that commissioned the work. Masses (in Italian only) Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. Holiday eves: 6:30 p.m. Holidays: 11:00 a.m.
Named after the torrent that flows through the city, this promenade winds along the right bank of the Passer River, in the centre of Merano/Meran. There are two stretches, one between the Ponte della Posta and Ponte Teatro, the other that hence takes to the Ponte di Ferro.
In the first part there are many artistic flower-beds, palms, ice-cream shops and cafes. Here you can admire the liberty architecture of the Kurhaus, whereas on the lower part of the promenade, surrounded by various historical buildings, you’ll find the artworks of the Human Figures project.
The promenade is easily walkable with pushchairs, too.
This trail runs along both banks from the Gilf Gorge down to the point where the river enters the city. On the right bank, it connects directly with the path that leads to the Powder Tower and the Tappeiner Promenade; on the left, it joins with the Summer Promenade. Gilf Promenade is particularly intriguing for its subtropical vegetation. Its Walk of Poets also makes it the most romantic of Merano’s promenades: modern and contemporary love poetry is engraved onto a series of benches here.
We suggest opting for comfortable footwear and bringing along a reusable water bottle, easily refillable at the fountains conveniently placed along the route. Water flows in the drinking fountains from spring to autumn. Depending on the weather and temperatures, the fountains are in operation from the beginning/middle of April to the middle/end of October.
The Wandelhalle was originally erected in the 1860s, to provide sheltered seating for visitors. It was meant to provide shelter and thus to enable visitors to enjoy the sunshine and the mild local climate even in winter. The Wandelhalle quickly became a popular gathering spot and was enlarged in 1891. There are busts of distinguished citizens in the middle section or Ehrenhalle (hall of honour), while the side walls are adorned with landscape depictions by such stellar artists as Franz Lenhart, Rudolf Complojer and Peter Demetz.
On top of Windspitz peak the gaze wanders over the mighty Ifinger/Mount Ivigna, whose silhouette seems tangible here.
From Mittager/Mount Cantino you get an awe-inspiring panoramic view which reach as far as the most dramatic summits in the Dolomites as well as the Ortler/Ortles and Texelgruppe/Tessa Group.
The hike requires a good physical condition.
A twin to the Winter Promenade located on the opposite side of the river, the Summer Promenade has wonderfully lush vegetation: cedars of Lebanon, giant redwoods, poplars and various species of pines provide shade and a cool respite from hot summer days. At the beginning of the promenade, you’ll find Sissi Park; an elegant sculpture of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, done in Lasa marble, presides regally over the park.
A statue of Blasius Trogmann stands in the Merano neighborhood of Maia Bassa, where a street is named after him, too. That is not a coincidence: Blasius Trogmann is regarded as Andreas Hofer’s most important ally in the Tyrolean Rebellion of 1809. A native of Merano, Trogmann had another passion apart from the one for his home, however: wine growing and winemaking.
Blasius Trogmann was able to pursue that particular passion at his home, the Finkhof estate in Hagen, a Merano neighborhood with generous sunlight situated between the spa town proper and the Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens. A contemporary chronicler notes: “(...) in the quiet and tranquil grounds of Hagenach, the vines, turned toward the midday sun, cook a delicious juice.”
People realized very early that Hagen was a suitable area for wine growing: the Finkhof estate was first mentioned in a document in 1213. In the 18th and early 19th century, the aforementioned Blasius Trogmann would be the one to work that land and deliver his wines all the way to the capital of the Austrian empire. Even today, more than 200 years later, the estate is still run by the Trogmann Innerhofer family. And they are still passionate about wine, which they also sell in their very own farm store, the Bottega contadina Merano. All four members of the family work in the business, making a living from wine growing.
Wines produced by the Finkhof winery include a light and fruity Schiava (Vernatsch), an intense Merlot, and a complex Lagrein. In addition, traditional methods are used to process Schiava grapes into sparkling wine, which is sold under the brand name “Hagenach,” named for the area where it grows and matures. Last but not least, the range is rounded off with an elegant white cuvée bearing a name which proves that the people of the Merano Finkhof winery feel an obligation toward their family and estate heritage: it is called “Blasius.”