The recorded history of Bolzano began with the arrival of Roman garrisons in the 1st century BC, although the area had been inhabited at least 2.500 years earlier. Today’s town center began 900 years ago and is characterized by Gothic architecture. It was constructed by the bishops of Trento at a key junction between North and South and included an arcaded avenue to display goods, with German-speaking tradesmen on one side and their "Italic" counterparts on the other. Although it was often touched by war, Bolzano has preferred peace, favoring first the exchange of merchandise, later languages and customs.
The wealth that rolled out of the arcades helped the church to erect such artistic monuments as Giottoesque frescoes, a cathedral bell tower designed by a Swabian architect, and the carved wooden altar by Michael Pacher. With the 20th century came Jungenstil and Neo-Gothic styles.
Under fascism, Mussolini mobilized the most talented artists in Italy for the Triumphal Arch and the courthouse. This is where the Eisack and the Etsch flow into one another, the valley floor lying 265 meters above sea level, embedded in one of the world's most beautiful mountain landscapes. We are in Bozen, the provincial capital of South Tyrol.
With its 96,000 inhabitants, Bozen is a meeting point between north and south. We have here two different cultural realities at this busy point between the German and Italian speaking areas with both the language of Goethe and Dante as cultural backdrop.
Due to its privileged geographical position, Bozen has always been an important business, tourism and commercial centre. Let's look at Jenesien, Bozen's 'little sister', standing at a height of 1,087 meters, set in lovely meadows and protected by dense woods. Jenesien: that means holidaying on the sunny side or the sunny side of holidaying. You decide! Nature invades this holiday spot with its splendid vegetation and mild climate. It is a place full of contrasts: below lies the dynamic city; above there's the soulful peacefulness of a mountain village. Both are tightly linked together yet separated only by a few minutes' car ride.
On Bozen's sunny platform we can wile away entire days of freedom. Over the village Salten beckons you on with its aged larches, with riding and walking paths. In Jenesien itself there's an open air pool in the middle of the forest, as well as tennis and sporting areas... all in idyllic peacefulness. Visit Bozen, Jenesien and the Dolomites; you'll be left with an enduring memory of their uniqueness.
The Gateway to the Dolomites
Bolzano lies 265 m above sea level along one of the most important routes running from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, connecting North and South. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains. Above the city, in the Dolomites, lies the "
Rosengarten"- the legendary realm of Laurin, the dwarf king. His enchanted garden glows an unearthly red at twilight.
Mediterranean climate with alpine splendor
With a yearly average high of 16.6°C (62° F) a yearly average low of 6° C (43° F), and no fog, Bolzano has a very mild climate. In fact, a part of Bolzano, the formerly independent town of Gries was a health resort in the last century, beloved by all because of its climate. Bolzano is the portal to a world without borders, from the green of parks and grapevines to the living rock of the Dolomites. Pink mountains fringed with snow form a backdrop while below lie palms, olive trees, cedars, and magnolias on the slopes of the hills. An elegant frame for the meeting between the fresh northern wind and the radiant Mediterranean sun, a benediction for vines sagging with the weight of bountiful bunches, filled with the flavors of days gone by.
The Countryside in the city
There are over 300 hectares (740 acres) of grapevines within the city limits, a full one seventh of the total area. In the fall, the aroma of freshly crushed grapes wafts through the city from its 27 wineries.
Bolzano