Bolzano (Italian) or Bozen (German), (Ladin: Balsan, Bulsan) is the capital city of South Tyrol, the German-speaking region in the northern part of Italy. Bolzano is the largest city in the region. Its archaeology museum is famous worldwide as the home of the alpine iceman "Ötzi". It is also known as the Italian Capital of Christmas thanks to its characteristic Christmas market. Bolzano's population is around 100,000 (140,000 including the metropolitan area).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The city is administratively composed of 5 districts (City Centre - Bozner Boden/Piani di Bolzano-Rentsch/Rencio, Oberau/Oltrisarco-Haslach/Aslago, Europa-Neustift/Novacella, Don Bosco, Gries-St.Quirein/San Quirino). Alternatively, for tourism it can be divided into 6 areas: City Centre (Historical Centre-Altstadt-Dorf/Villa-Zwölfmalgreien/Dodiciville-Runkelstein Castle) Here there are the most important things to see, museums, theatres, restaurants, hotels and stores. The heart of the City Centre is Walther square. Rentsch-Rencio (Rentsch-Rencio/St. Magdalena-S. Maddalena/Bozner Boden-Piani di Bolzano) This is the most German part of the city with St.
First inhabited by the Rhaetians, the area was settled by the Romans in 15 BC, by General Nero Claudius Drusus, who gave his name to the first settlement in the area (an army camp with a bridge by the river Eisack-Isarco). The village founded nearby was called Bauzanum. The region of South Tyrol was historically settled by ethnic Germans and Ladins. Bolzano has been a trading point since its foundation owing to its location between the two major cities of Venice and Augsburg. In 1262 it was elevated to a Stadt (city). In 1363 Bolzano became part of the Habsburg monarchy as part of the county of Tyrol. Four times a year a market was held and traders came from the south and the north.
The city centre is not big and so it can be discovered on foot. The best way to discover every corner of the city is on foot but in order to reach other areas inside the city using the public system is a good idea - also because the public transport system is efficient and the means of transport run on time and are clean. Bolzano has an excellent public transport system, which includes buses, cableways and commuter rail. Within Bolzano, you can get a single trip ticket (including a second trip, if within 45 minutes after the printing) for the bus for €1.50.
1 South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. The most famous and visited museum in South Tyrol. It's home of the Iceman Ötzi. €9 (reduced €7, children up to 6 years free). 2 Museion - Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art. New building by Studio KSV Krüger Schuberth Vandreike from Berlin. 3 Messner Mountain Museum Firmian. The main seat of the MMMs realized by the famous South Tyrolean mountaineer Reinhold Messner. €8 (reduced €6, children up to 6 years free). 4 South Tyrol Museum of Natural Science. It explains the geological origins of the region and organizes a lot of interesting temporary exhibitions. €5 (reduced €3, children up to 6 years free). 5 Municipal Museum.
Bolzano Festival Bozen. Concerts of the Gustav Mahler and European Union Youth Orchestra in Concert Houses and in the squares of the city, the International "Ferruccio Busoni" Piano Competition and the shows of Antiqua (Renaissance and Baroque music). Every summer. Transart. A regional event of contemporary music and arts. Bolzano Danza - Tanzsommer Bozen. A dance/ballet event in summer. Südtirol Jazz Festival (International Jazz Festival Bolzano-Bozen). An important summer jazz festival. Wintermezzo. A Richard Strauss festival held in January. Upload - Music Contest + Festival. A song contest with participants under 26 held in May/June.
For more places please see district articles. You can find all kinds of restaurant - cuisine, typical, Italian, international, ethnic specialties - and fast foods - typical Würstlstandln (hot dog stands), döner kebab, sliced pizza, Chinese take-away, sushi, or McDonald's and Burger King. In the following list are included some of the most known traditional or important restaurants in the city center. South Tyrolean cuisine is typically Austrian (Tyrolean) with Mediterranean influences but also Italian and other international specialties have to be found. Typical South Tyrolean products include Speck (a kind of smoked ham), a lot of sorts of bread, strudel, apples and a lot of pastries.
Bolzano is an important wine producer in South Tyrol - it's included in the South Tyrolean Wine Road. Typical drink in South Tyrol is beer too - the most famous brewing company is Forst which is produced near Meran. A pub in the historical centre produces its own beer. Very popular soft drinks are Spezi (pronounce: "sh-peh-tzi") which is a cola-lemonade mix and Spuma which is an aromatic soda. If you like coffee you can drink Italian espresso or cappuccino but also Viennese or German (American) coffee. Cantina Bolzano - Kellerei Bozen www.cantinabolzano.com, Piazza Gries, 2, ☏ +39 0471 270909.
Bolzano is one of the safest cities in Italy and generally tourists don't have problems. Beware of African migrant vendors in the streets: most of the merchandise they sell is imitation luxury goods. You can get a very high fine in Italy for purchasing imitation goods. Stay away from the area around the central railway station and the surrounding area (Via Garibaldi, Piazza Verdi, Viale Trento) at night. Especially in the Station Park and the Garibaldi Street - drug dealers and homeless people are often seen. However, common sense should be enough when you will stay in Bolzano safely.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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