OLD-TOWN CHARM

Going for a walk through the old town of Bressanone, via Mercato Vecchio (or Altenmarktgasse, the old market alley) is a great place to start. If you walk along the popular shop-lined street that winds towards the arcades, you will soon spot one of the town’s landmarks: the white tower of the parish church of St. Michael. Once the seat of the fire warden, the 72-metre-high building now houses a small but fine museum. Just a few steps away is the cathedral square, one of my favourite places in town. Many of Bressanone’s top attractions are located within a very small area: the 10th-century cathedral – now sporting a baroque style – and the adjacent cloister, with beautiful frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. If you take a closer look in the third arcade, you will notice an unexpected curiosity: a “horsephant”, as the locals affectionately call it. The fresco painter Leonhard von Brixen was probably trying to depict an elephant, but having no idea of what such an exotic animal actually looked like, he simply painted a horse with a long trunk.

As you leave the cathedral square behind, the next eye-catcher you come across is Hofburg – formerly the bishop’s residence. This baroque palace now houses the Diocesan Museum. The main highlights include a very interesting collection of nativity scenes and the artistic furnishings that embellish the rooms of the imperial wing. Hofburg is also a great sight for children, offering experiences such as a treasure hunt and a tricky quiz that help young visitors learn exciting things about art and history. Another prominent feature is the Herrengarten, a beautiful garden directly adjacent to the castle that was once treasured by bishops as a place of retreat.

Like all locals, I too love to just take a leisurely walk through the picturesque arcades, window-shopping for latest fashion trends and treating myself to a fine cup of coffee or cappuccino along the way. Together with the Mercato Vecchio and the Bastioni Maggiori streets, the arcades enshrine the very heart of the town’s social life. Here, exclusive boutiques and artisan workshops rub shoulders with inviting cafés, wine bars, rustic inns and swanky bistros. There’s nowhere better than the old town of Bressanone for a combination of sightseeing and indulgence.

STUFLES – THE ARTISTS’ DISTRICT

If you go on a tour around Bressanone, the district of Stufles is a gem you don’t want to miss. Located on the opposite side of the Isarco River, where servants and travellers used to find affordable housing and accommodation in the old days, it has become a place of unique character. Many young artists and artisans have now set up their workshops here, breathing new life into the oldest district of Bressanone. You can take a walk along the winding, cobblestone streets of Stufles and then get back to the starting point in just a few minutes.

NOVACELLA ABBEY

If you are up for a short hike while in Bressanone, I recommend you follow the family-friendly Isarco promenade northwards. After about six kilometres, you will see the Novacella Abbey rise from a swathe of picturesque vineyards. A perfect blend of culture, art, wine and spirituality. This imposing monastery complex includes a beautiful baroque church, a library and the Angel’s Castle chapel, as well as a winery where you can round off your visit tasting the fine white wines from the area.

The Pharmacy Museum in the old town, which offers interesting insights into how drugs and medicaments were made in the past.

The four town gates of Bressanone are still standing and worth seeing: St. Michael’s gate by the white tower, Sabiona gate to the north, the cloister gate to the east and the sun gate to the west.

The Widmann bridge is a listed landmark and a fine example of industrial architecture. You can see the confluence of the rivers Isarco and Rienza from the bridge.

Castle Rodengo ,one of the largest fortified castles in South Tyrol, enjoys a spectacular location at the gateway to the Pusteria valley. It can be visited and special children’s tours are offered that let budding historians discover the life of knights and damsels of old, and how their children spent their time. 

The Ridanna Mining World is a fantastic opportunity for children to venture deep into impressive tunnels and get a taste of what it was like to work in a mine, as well as learn interesting facts about minerals and how they are used.