Trentino Alto Adige: 
Merano

Hotels Restaurants Sights Shopping

Merano is an elegant town. I go there for spa therapy….there’s much more in Merano however. The general feeling I get when I’m here is that of a turn of the century town — unchanged, beautiful, vineyards, castles, cafes, mountains, rivers, strolls, shops and fine things. I love the idea of a promenade. In Merano you stroll the promenades — the passaggiate (defined in my section on tips). The Passaggiata Lungo Passirio is a stroll along the Passirio River and goes downstream; the name changes at the Ponte della Posta to Passaggiata d’Inverno/Winter and Passaggiata d’Estate/Summer (depending on the time of year — Summer/left bank or Winter/right bank); the Passaggiata Tappeiner/Tappeiner Promenade is above Merano and affords great views over Merano (it’s an easy walk). Your hotel will have directions on the different promenades. You’ll enjoy touring the Steinach/Old Town. Piazza del Teatro is my favorite area in Merano — busy and beautiful (overlooking the river). The Duomo di San Nicolo is a Gothic cathedral (14^th century) with a campanile/bell tower, buttresses, frescoes, a carved altar, stained glass and some paintings. On Via dei Portici you can shop to your hearts content (the town hall is also on this street) while admiring the architecture. I love the Museo dell’Abito e della Donna Attraverso il Tempo/Frauenmuseum because it’s all about women’s fashion new and old….plus it’s a different kind of museum. Right in the town center is the Castello Principesco/Princes’ Castle. It was built in the 14^th century and was a residence for royalty. Today you can tour the castle to see just how it was decorated and how the royals lived (do see the small chapel here). The Museo Civico has local history and artifacts, modern art and medieval sculpture (a wide variety of items). Just outside of town is the Giardino Botanica at the Trautmannsdorf Castle. Tuesday and Friday are Market days in Merano.