BOZEN
While in the southern Tyrolean towns of Sterzing and Brixen, Alpine culture is perhaps still somewhat predominant, the border in the provincial capital of Bolzano is much more blurred. Still Tyrolean culture or already Italian dolce vita? You don't know exactly, but that makes the visit all the more interesting.
Bolzano's shopping street is the Laubengasse, which has been the commercial heart of the city since the Middle Ages. Here you will find many traditional and modern restaurants in a historic atmosphere, as well as the colorful fruit market that takes place from Monday to Saturday. Whether you fancy an aperitif or an exquisite glass of wine, the many street cafés, inns and restaurants will delight you with their special atmosphere and wide range of culinary delights.
The provincial capital also marks the start of the South Tyrolean Wine Route. The grapes for the famous St. Magdalena and Lagrein wines are grown in the gentle hills that surround the city.
Bolzano is surrounded by several castles and fortresses. Runkelstein Castle, Maretsch Castle and Haselburg Castle - today a popular restaurant and event venue in a historic setting. If you are interested in a bit of ancient history, you should definitely pay a visit to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology with the legendary glacier mummy Ötzi.
