|
The city's Italian-Austrian character, enhanced by the narrow cobblestone streets, Habsburg-era churches and pervasive bilingual signage give it the unique flavour of a city at crossroads between Italian and Austrian cultures. This, and its natural and cultural attractions make it a renowned tourist destination.
Among the major monuments and sights are:
-
Walther Square, with a statue of Walther von der Vogelweide, the German minstrel (minnesinger);
-
the South Tyrol Archeological Museum, which hosts the mummy of Ötzi the Iceman;
-
the Gothic Cathedral, started in 1184, probably on the foundations of a Roman villa and rebuilt in the 14th Century by architects Martin and Peter Schiche (completed 1382);
-
various castles, including Mareccio Castle, Roncolo Castle and Firmiano Castle;
-
the First World War Victory Monument, a controversial monument built by Mussolini in 1928.
-
the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian
For more historical and geographical information, see Province of Bolzano-Bozen. |