The surrounding area of Merano/Meran is dominated by impressive nature and spectacular castles

Nature & castles

A number of magnificent castles can be found in the area around Merano/Meran, in the midst of untouched, pristine natural beauty. The region is renowned for its castles and boasts a number of cultural events in these locations, such as concerts, festivals and expositions. Have a look at the many offers in this truly unique vacation region.

Azaleae, cypresses and more

The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano/Meran have been voted the country’s most beautiful gardens. On the sunny hills below the castle, plants from all over the world grow in 80 different garden arrangements. The Castle once was the winter home of the famous Empress Sissi, and today is home to the Touriseum.
www.trauttmansdorff.it

Explore the labyrinth

Explore the labyrinth Find your way through the labyrinth at the 650-year old Gothic Kränzel building in Cernes/Tscherms, a true work of art which consists of the labyrinth, gardens and vineyards. The “Irrweg” trail leads past a variety of artistic installations to a labyrinth of grapes and vineyards.
www.labyrinth.bz

The cradle of Tyrol

Two historical castles, which today house two extraordinary museums: The Castel Tirolo, once the estate of the Count of Tyrol and name giver of the land, and the Brunnenburg Castle, seat of the Agricultural Museum and setting for concerts and readings.
www.schlosstirol.it

Reinhold Messner’s mighty mountains

The legendary South Tyrolean mountaineer Reinhold Messner celebrates the unity of man and mountain in five museums in South Tyrol. Each one of the MMM Messner Mountain Museums is dedicated to a different theme. His private Juval Castle in Naturno/Naturns concentrates on the religious and spiritual importance of the mountains.
www.messner-mountain-museum.it

First-row seats

30 seats on a rock high above Merano/Meran: "Knottnkino” in Verano/Vöran is a unique nature spectacle set against the backdrop of the Giogaia di Tessa/Texelgruppe Nature Park and the Dolomites. It is easy to reach from Gasthof Alpenrose.

Ancient human settlements

In Santa Gertrude/Sankt Gertraud in the valley of Val d’Ultimo/Ultental (some 30 kilometers from Merano/Meran) you will find one of South Tyrol’s oldest and most impressive natural landmarks: the ancient Ulten “Urlärchen” larch trees are arguably Europe’s oldest conifers with an age of more than 2,000 years.