Experiencing the Charm of Bolzano, Italy
Straddling the border of Austria and Italy in the South Tirol region, Bolzano (Bozen in German) is a charming city that has been voted the city with the "highest quality of life" in Italy. It's the gateway to the Dolomites and houses the Iceman -in the South Tirol Archeology Museum - the almost perfect 5000 year old mummified Neolithic man found nearby. And it was the perfect spot to stop and enjoy some lunch while stretching our legs on our European Road Trip.
Our drive was from Venice to Munich through the stunning scenery of the Alps on the A22. We exited at Bolzano and found public parking in a garage and then headed for the Visitor Center to get some lunch spot recommendations. A Beer Garden with an outdoor patio sounded like the perfect spot for us so we started our stroll through the city.
The weather was perfect - sunny and warm - and there were lots of people out walking and enjoying the day. We walked through Piazza Walther with it's fountain, restaurants and Cathedral. Bolzano is a city of mixtures - Italian and Bavarian culture and language - as it has been ruled by both Italy and the Habsburgs with control changing hands many times.( You can hear both languages with the split being about 62% German and signs are bilingual)
Lunch was at Batzen Brau, a beer garden with Italian/Sudtirolean/German food and the locally brewed Batzen Beer. Mine was tomato noodles in cream sauce and it was so good. And, of course, there were a few beers enjoyed - it is a beer garden, after all!
It was a market day in Bolzano so we walked off our lunch through this traditional market of fruits, vegetables, flowers and meats along the Piazza delle Erbe in the center of town. Almost hidden by the market stalls, the Fontana di Nettuno - or Neptune's Fountain - is located here and depicts King Neptune presiding over 3 dolphins and 3 shells. It was built to provide the city with fresh water and I had read that it was one of the prettiest fountains in Italy. While it's a nice enough fountain, I'm not sure of that ranking.
Bolzano is the Gateway to the Dolomites and the starting point for a Great Dolomite Road Trip. I was disappointed that our time was too short for a slight detour out of town to see the mountains but as with any road trip, one must pick and choose. It was time to get back on the road, heading north to Oktoberfest.
If you like mountain scenery, Italian or German food, pretty city plazas, outdoor cafe's, good wine (Bolzano is surrounded by vineyards), castles and mountain hiking, then you may want to consider a visit to charming Bolzano and the Dolomites.
Our drive was from Venice to Munich through the stunning scenery of the Alps on the A22. We exited at Bolzano and found public parking in a garage and then headed for the Visitor Center to get some lunch spot recommendations. A Beer Garden with an outdoor patio sounded like the perfect spot for us so we started our stroll through the city.
The weather was perfect - sunny and warm - and there were lots of people out walking and enjoying the day. We walked through Piazza Walther with it's fountain, restaurants and Cathedral. Bolzano is a city of mixtures - Italian and Bavarian culture and language - as it has been ruled by both Italy and the Habsburgs with control changing hands many times.( You can hear both languages with the split being about 62% German and signs are bilingual)
Lunch was at Batzen Brau, a beer garden with Italian/Sudtirolean/German food and the locally brewed Batzen Beer. Mine was tomato noodles in cream sauce and it was so good. And, of course, there were a few beers enjoyed - it is a beer garden, after all!
It was a market day in Bolzano so we walked off our lunch through this traditional market of fruits, vegetables, flowers and meats along the Piazza delle Erbe in the center of town. Almost hidden by the market stalls, the Fontana di Nettuno - or Neptune's Fountain - is located here and depicts King Neptune presiding over 3 dolphins and 3 shells. It was built to provide the city with fresh water and I had read that it was one of the prettiest fountains in Italy. While it's a nice enough fountain, I'm not sure of that ranking.
Bolzano is the Gateway to the Dolomites and the starting point for a Great Dolomite Road Trip. I was disappointed that our time was too short for a slight detour out of town to see the mountains but as with any road trip, one must pick and choose. It was time to get back on the road, heading north to Oktoberfest.
If you like mountain scenery, Italian or German food, pretty city plazas, outdoor cafe's, good wine (Bolzano is surrounded by vineyards), castles and mountain hiking, then you may want to consider a visit to charming Bolzano and the Dolomites.
How about you? Have you ever been to Bolzano?
Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand and The Weekend Wanderlust Weekend Travel Blog Party!
No, I've never been to Bolzano. The cross between German and Italian styles sounds quite interesting. From a food perspective, I've always thought the cooking styles and features to be distinctively different. I guess the beer brings them together.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about the beer bringing them together but I guess it really does. And Bolzano is quite an interesting mix between cultures and styles. Thanks for visiting, Rhonda!
DeleteWhat fun to drive through the Alps from Venice to Munich! Bolzano has such appealing architecture. And those tomato noodles in cream sauce have made me hungry!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fantastic road trip - and yes, very much fun. I'd really like to have those tomato noodles in cream sauce right now! Thanks for visiting, Sharon!
DeleteWhat an enchanting place with so much to see! The architecture is awesome and it looks like a great place to spend a little time. I'm so glad you joined me at My Corner of the World this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing the link-up - and for visiting, Betty!
DeleteI haven’t been to that part of Italy, but i’d love to visit one day. It sounds lovely. Plus, you said there was good wine : )
ReplyDeleteAny place with good wine is a good place for me :) Thanks for visiting, Mandy!
DeleteSuch a quaint town, that boasts walking and bike riding. Your lunch at Batzen Brau looked yummy! This is a town I must visit on my next trip to Europe. Happy you shared 🌸
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Stephanie - and I hope you make it there on your next trip!
Delete