Bolzano - Trentino-Alto Adige

While strolling in Bolzano, the provincial capital of Alto Adige, you should be prepared that if you say, "buon giorno," to a local, the reply might come back, "guten tag." Nestled in the alpine fairyland of Sudtirol, or the Southern Tyrol, Bolzano is a melange of Italian and Austrian culture.

History
Bolzano or Bozen was actually a part of Austria for longer than it was a part of Italy. It was annexed by the counts of Tyrol in 1278, and the area became a favorite watering hole for the Hapsburgs. In 1948 it was handed over to Italy. Although Bolzano was inundated with Italian language and culture, its heart has remained Austrian. When visiting Bolzano, be prepared to take a break from cappuccino and biscotti, and enjoy some deutscher kaffee, German coffee, with sachertorte, a traditional chocolate apricot cake.

Sights
Tyrolean architecture, winding streets, outdoor cafés and restaurants create a charming, picturesque atmosphere. The town's small historic center is known as Piazza Walther, or Waltherplatz (Like the streets, many of the restaurants go by two names, Italian and German).

The Via dei Portici, or Lubengasse, speaks for its neighbors to the north with German architecture. It runs between 15th and 16th century buildings to Piazza delle Erbe, or Obstplatz, which means "produce market." The market is held every morning except Sunday. At the end of the square is the 14th-century Chiesa dei Francescani on Via dei Francescani. The exquisite Gothic altarpiece carved by Hans Klocker in 1500 sits in the Capella della Beata Vergine and is definitely worth seeing. Also worth a visit are the church's untouched, serene cloisters. Castel Mareccio is just north of Piazza delle Erbe, along the Via delle Roggia. It is home to renowned wine cellars. The nearby Duomo dates to the 14th century and boasts some truly amazing frescoes.

The Museo Archeologico dell' Alto Adige, #43 on the Via Museo, displays regional treasures, artifacts, crafts and works of art. The museum's piece de resistance is the 5000-year-old, mummified body of the hunter "Otzi" uncovered in 1991. He was discovered by chance in the Similaun glacier and is housed with his equipment and copious explanations. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and costs about 5 euros.

Tips
The Bolzano tourist office is #8 Piazza Walther or Waltherplatz. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. Pick up a special visitor's pass if you are staying at least three nights. This includes admission to some sights and museums, a guided tour and a cable car ride.

Links: http://www.bolzano-bozen.it