BolzanoSights

Sights in Bolzano

  1. Messner Mountain Museum

    The rambling castle, Castel Firmiano, and its grounds are home to the Messner Mountain Museum created by mountaineer Reinhold Messner as the centrepiece of his five mountain museums. Based around man’s relationship with the mountains across all cultures, this insightful museum is configured so that you climb literally hundreds of stairs, giving you the experience of shifting altitudes. You’ll need to wear sturdy shoes for the uneven terrain and mesh walkways; wheelchair access is not possible.

    reviewed

  2. Castel Firmiano

    A 20km-long bike path running mostly along the river connects Bolzano's castles: the 12th-century Castel Mareccio; the 1237-built Castel Roncolo, also known as Schloss Runkelstein, which is renowned for its rare 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes from secular literature such as the tale of Tristan and Isolde; and the highlight, Castel Firmiano, dating back to AD 945.

    reviewed

  3. A

    Museo Archeologico dell’Alto Adige

    The star of the Museo Archeologico dell’Alto Adige is Ötzi, the Iceman. The so-called Iceman’s clothing and equipment is on display, while his still-frozen body is kept in a separate, temperature-controlled room and can be viewed through a tiny window. Ötzi aside, the museum also has an important collection of archaeological finds.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Castel Mareccio

    A 20km-long bike path running mostly along the river connects Bolzano's castles: the 12th-century Castel Mareccio; the 1237-built Castel Roncolo, also known as Schloss Runkelstein, which is renowned for its rare 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes from secular literature such as the tale of Tristan and Isolde; and the highlight, Castel Firmiano, dating back to AD 945.

    reviewed

  5. Museion

    Bolzano’s newest architectural masterpiece is the Museion, a funky glass cubelike building on the river that houses the museum of contemporary art. Strangely the modernist design works, both inside and out. There’s a cafe, bookshop and library onsite.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Chiesa di Francescani

    The 14th-century Chiesa di Francescani features beautiful cloisters and a magnificent Gothic altarpiece, carved in 1500 by Hans Klocker, in the Cappella della Beata Vergine (Chapel of the Blessed Virgin).

    reviewed

  7. D

    Museo di Scienze Naturali dell’Alto Adige

    Alto Adige’s wondrous flora, fauna and geology can be discovered at the Museo di Scienze Naturali dell’Alto Adige. The centrepiece is its ­gigantic saltwater aquarium.

    reviewed

  8. Castel Roncolo

    The 1237-built Castel Roncolo is renowned for its rare 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes from secular literature such as the tale of Tristan and Isolde.

    reviewed

  9. E

    Chiesa dei Domenicani

    The cloisters and chapel of Chiesa dei Domenicani feature 14th-century frescoes by the Giotto school.

    reviewed

  10. F

    Cathedral

    Just off Bolzano’s main square, Piazza Walther, is the city’s Gothic cathedral.

    reviewed

  11. Advertisement