An Abundance of Cultural and Natural Treasures.

The Hotel zur Brücke in Mittewald/Mezzaselva is situated near the Brenner Autobahn and is thus the ideal place for exploring the important cultural and artistic treasures located along the Brenner axis.

Castle Wolfsthurn and the Gilfenklamm in Stange

Grasstein Demonstration Electric Power Plant

North of Mittewald/Mezzaselva and along the Brenner-Franzensfeste bicycle path, there’s an old hydroelectric power plant and waterfall at a romantic, high-elevation setting. Experience the interaction of natural forces and technology. By push-button, you can start up the machinery inside the station and the generation of electrical energy.

The Roman Road and Archeological Park

The journey through the Eisack/Isarco Valley to the Brenner Pass was a difficult and dangerous undertaking. The road has a continuous length of 140 m, and still displays wagon wheel grooves from Roman times. That and the historical exhibits in the Archeological Park along the Roman Road in Franzensfeste/Fortezza are worthwhile sightseeing stops.

The Habsburg Franzensfeste Fortress

This fortress was built between 1832 and 1838 of solid granite blocks, and is named for the Emperor Franz the First of Austria. Today, it is the site of numerous cultural events. In 2008, it was the site of the Manifesta7 exhibition, the European Biannual of Contemporary Art. In 2009, it was again renovated, and more buildings were added. It was the site of the provincial exhibition “Labyrinth: Freedom” held on the occasion of the anniversary of the Tyrolean struggle for freedom. Dead-end streets and mazes, green areas and rest zones, thick walls, underground passageways, arrow silts, and look-out hatches are all waiting for you to discover them in this impressive fortress.

BBT-Infopoint

At the BBT-Infopoint in Franzensfeste/Fortezza, you’ll get a closer look at the Brenner Basis Tunnel, the transboundary masterpiece of engineering. You can also register for a guided tour.

The Neustift/Novacella Monastery

The culture of Western civilization was preserved chiefly in monasteries. During the tour, you’ll learn more about the history of monasteries and the religious and secular duties of the monks who resided there – which you can read about in the massive volumes of its important library. Wonder wells and the Late Baroque seminary church, the Gothic cloister, and the prize-winning white wine make the Neustift/Novacella Monastery an experience for all of the senses.

Brixen/Bressanone – The Cathedral and the Hofburg

For centuries the seat of the bishop princes, the Hofburg, the Cathedral Square, the Medieval arcades, and the remnants of the city walls and gates characterize the overall appearance of Brixen/Bressanone. The seminary, the Philosophical/Theological University, the monastery schools, and the cloisters testify to the great religious and political history and the educational facility, to which the pedagogical faculty of the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano was recently added.

Art & Culture

The cathedral, with its grand frescoes by Paul Troger, the splendid cloister, the White Tower, the Hofburg with the cathedral treasure in the diocesan museum are all as interesting as a visit to the historical inns and music and theater in the “Anreiter” cantina or the Forum. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the Eisack Valley / Val d’Isarco together with the excellent local white wines in the arcades or in one of the quaint inns with their wood paneling.

Klausen/Chiusa

Albrecht Dürer painted here for a period, and afterwards, many another artist, so that Klausen/Chiusa has acquired a reputation as an “artist’s city.” The way leads through the city gate, along the medieval street, to the entrance to the Säben/Sabiona Monastery, the mighty nunnery which looms over Klausen/Chiusa and which was the residence of the prince bishops for a long time.

The old Plattenweg leading to the monastery and the view it affords are beautiful. You can continue your hike to along the Kastanienweg, which is popular especially in the autumn, during the “Törggele” season.

Bozen/Bolzano -Ötzi: The “Ice Man”

Shopping in the old part of town, in the arcades, and at the fruit market. Close by, you can visit “Ötzi” – the “Ice Man” – at the South Tyrolean Archeological Museum. Just ten minutes farther, you’ll find the Museion, the most modern museum in South Tyrol, with contemporary art – always good for a surprise.

The Messner Moutain Museum

Along the freeway from Bozen/Bolzano to Meran/Merano, right next to Bozen, there’s an exit which will take you to Reinhold Messner’s Mountain Museum Firmian at the Sigmundskron/Firmiano Castle: It’s impressive in every respect.

Meran/Merano – The Gardens of Trauttmannsdorff Castle

The old resort town with its promenade and the Tappeiner Path became a garden city. The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle have been crowned as the most-beautiful gardens of Italy. With an area of 30 acres, you can experience 80 garden landscapes with plants from all over the world. At the Touriseum, you can learn more about the history of tourism in South Tyrol – it’s an entertaining and amusing experience.