The Italian Spa Town of Merano
Planning a trip to the northernmost region of Italy, the beautiful South Tyrol? Then you cannot miss the province’s second-largest city! Merano (or Meran) is a vibrant spa town nestled at the entrance to an Alpine valley. With its mountainous location, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume that it is always cold and snowy. But this is not actually the case. In fact, the exceptional surroundings create a unique Alpine-Mediterranean climate that encases the city. On one side, the city is framed by snow-capped mountains, while subtropical plants like palm trees grow in the lower valleys. There is much to draw culture-lovers to Merano and the city offers a number of diverse sights to explore and enjoy. The area is characterised by fantastic natural scenery and majestic mountains – suitable for sports enthusiasts both in summer and winter.
Merano City and its Main Attractions
Today, South Tyrol belongs to the modern state of Italy. This region is, however, unique in the peninsula. Until 1920, the land was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even now, the traces of Germanic culture are still evident, both in the city’s architecture and its culture.
German and Italian are two of the official languages in South Tyrol, alongside Ladin. Though 70% of the region speak German as a first language, the residents of Merano represent an even mix of Italian and German speakers. This one-of-a-kind history and blend of culture has produced numerous marvellous attractions in Merano. Let’s take a look at a few…
The Kurhaus
Since the 19th century, Merano has been a famous spa resort due to its mild climate. The symbol of the city’s spa town status is undoubtedly the Kurhaus – an Art Nouveau masterpiece. It opened in 1874, and as the house became more and more popular, Viennese architext Friedrich Ohmann renovated and enlarged it. Thanks to its new design, today’s visitors can admire the beauty of the great Kursaal (grand hall) and the rotunda. Throughout the year, this impressive building hosts a variety of events, including the famous Merano WineFestival in autumn and the so-called “Matura balls” (graduation dances) of German schools in the city. Of course, the venue is also available for concerts and other events. During the coronavirus pandemic, this old spa building resumed its original function as a health resort and transformed into a vaccination centre.
St. Nicholas’ Church
If you’ve ever looked for pictures of Merano online, you will surely have seen the second landmark of the city, the St. Nicholas’ Church, also known as Merano Cathedral. Located in the centre of the Old Town, it has been listed as heritage protected since 1980. Dedicated to the town’s patron saint, Saint Nicholas, this church was built in the late Gothic style, and renovated several times, until it gained its current form in 1465. It houses many frescoes, paintings and interesting sculptures as well as stained-glass windows and a rose window, typical of Gothic cathedrals and churches. The bell tower overlooks the entire city, offering visitors an unparalleled panoramic view of the area – once you’ve conquered the 83-metre climb to the top.
Merano Old Town Centre
Once you have visited Merano Cathedral, you are already in the middle of the old town. The location is simply sublime and characterised by quaint, narrow streets. During hot summer days, you can relax in the shade of the medieval Laubengasse, or meander around the shops. As you get further away from St. Nicholas’ Church, the streets narrow down even further, and after 200 metres, you will reach the Passeier Gate -one of three city gates. From there, you can go on an idyllic walk along the Summer P