Bolzano

Bolzano, also known as Bozen, is the capital city of South Tyrol, a province in northern Italy. It has a population of about 108,245 people and is the largest city in South Tyrol. The greater area around Bolzano has around 250,000 people and is an important part of the Alps.

The city is home to the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, where students can learn in Italian, German, and English. Bolzano also has important military offices for the Italian Army's Alpini units. In 2020, Bolzano was ranked among the best places to live in Italy for its high quality of life.

Bolzano is part of an effort to protect the Alps by working with other towns in the region. In 2009, it was named Alpine Town of the Year for its work in supporting sustainable development. Because of the three languages spoken there—Italian, German, and Ladin—and its mix of Italian and German-Austrian cultures, Bolzano is seen as a link between Northern and Southern Europe.

Names

The city of Bolzano has been known by different names throughout history. Its earliest recorded names from the 8th century were Bauzanum and Bauzonum. Today, it is called Bolzano in Italian and Bozen in German. Both languages are officially used in the city and its surrounding area. You might see both names together, like at the Bolzano/Bozen railway station or the university (Bozen-Bolzano).

Ladin, another language spoken in the region, calls the city Balsan or Bulsan.

Geography

Location

The city of Bolzano covers an area of 52.3 km², with 28 km² used for buildings and homes. It sits where three valleys meet: the Sarntal, Eisacktal, and the Adige Valley, along with their rivers: the Talfer, Eisack, and Adige. In the past, Bolzano was an important trading place because big routes crossed there. The city's highest point is 1,616 metres above sea level, and the lowest is 232 metres. The centre of the city is 262 metres above sea level. Nearby big cities include Trento, about 58 km away, and Innsbruck, about 118 km away.

City districts and neighbouring communities

Bolzano has several districts, such as Centro-Piani-Rencio/Zentrum-Bozner Boden-Rentsch and Gries-San Quirino/Gries-Quirein. Over time, some smaller areas became part of the city. Nearby communities include Eppan, Karneid, Laives, and others.

Climate

Bolzano has a special kind of weather. It is warm in summer but can get very cold in winter. The city's position in a valley helps keep it warmer than other places in the same mountain area. Some parts of the city have cooler summers, and the mountains around have even colder weather.

Demographics

The city of Bolzano has a rich history of growth and change in its population. In the year 1300, around 1,500 to 2,000 people lived there. By the late 1400s, this number grew to about 3,000 to 4,000. In 1900, the population was 13,904, mostly speaking German. Over the years, especially in the mid-20th century, the population grew quickly due to new areas being built. In 1975, Bolzano had its highest number of residents ever, with 107,112 people.

As of the end of 2022, 106,107 people lived in Bolzano. About 15,000 of these were from other countries, with many coming from places like Albania, Morocco, and Pakistan. Bolzano is a special place where both German and Italian cultures meet, and many people there can speak more than one language.

History

See also: Timeline of Bolzano

Prehistory and Roman settlement

Long ago, the area where Bolzano now stands was a wet land where the Raetian Isarci people lived. They were thought to be descendants of Etruscan people who had fled Italy. The Romans came and built a settlement there in 15 BC after conquering the land. They called it Pons Drusi (Drusus Bridge) after the Roman general who led them. This place became part of the region called Venetia et Histria in ancient Italy.

In 1948, people digging at the Cathedral found an old Christian church from the fourth century. They also found a Roman grave with writing in Latin from the third century. This showed that someone named Secundus Regontius was one of the earliest known people living in Bolzano.

Bavarian settlement

As time passed, the Bavarians began to move into the area in the seventh century. The first time a Bavarian ruler was mentioned in Bolzano was in the year 679. They called the nearby villages around Bolzano Bauzanum or Bauzana. In 769, a leader named Tassilo III made an important document in Bolzano that started a special place called Innichen Abbey. From this time, German-speaking people lived in the Tyrol region.

Bishopric of Trent

In 1027, the land around Bolzano was given to the bishops of Trent by the emperor Conrad II. Later, in the late 1200s, the bishop created a market town along a street called Lauben. This made Bolzano an important place for trading between Augsburg and Venice over the Brenner Pass, which is a high mountain road.

County of Tyrol

In 1277, a ruler named Meinhard II took control of Bolzano, which led to a fight between the rulers of Tyrol and the bishops of Trent. In 1363, the County of Tyrol became part of the Austrian House of Habsburg. In 1381, a duke named Leopold gave the people of Bolzano the right to have their own town council. This took away much of the power the bishops of Trent had over the town. In 1462, the bishops gave up all their control over Bolzano.

From the 1300s to the 1400s, Bolzano held big markets four times a year for traders and merchants traveling over the Brenner Pass. In 1635, an Austrian duchess named Claudia de' Medici created an official group to manage trade. This helped make Bolzano a meeting place for different cultures in the Alps.

After the Holy Roman Empire ended in 1806, Bolzano became part of the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon. After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, it went back to the Austrian Empire and later to the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867. The area included what we now call South Tyrol, Trentino, and the state of Tyrol in Austria.

In the late 1800s, Bolzano grew quickly from about 12,000 people in 1890 to over 28,000 in 1910. The number of people who spoke Italian changed during this time, from about 15% in 1890 to around 6% in 1910.

Annexation by Italy

In 1918, after World War I ended, Italian soldiers moved into the area south of the Brenner Pass. Italy took control of South Tyrol, including Bolzano, and this was agreed upon internationally in 1919. At that time, most people in Bolzano spoke German, with only a small number speaking Italian.

Capital of an autonomous province

After World War II, agreements were made to give rights to the German-speaking people in South Tyrol, including the use of their language and self-government. These agreements helped create a peaceful solution and ended disputes between Italy and Austria about the region.

Economy

Bolzano has a strong economy that mixes old and new ways of making money. The city is known for its high-quality farming, including growing wine, fruit, and making dairy products. Tourism and traditional crafts like wood and ceramics are also important. While big factories from the past are mostly gone, the city still relies a lot on the public sector and the local government.

The city is important for business and trade between Italy and Germany. It hosts big events where leaders meet to talk about important issues. Bolzano is also home to many companies and research centers. These places work on new ideas in technology, energy, food, and more, helping to create a sustainable future. The university and other research groups in Bolzano work together to study many different subjects.

Politics

The last municipal elections were held in 2025. Ten different parties won seats on the city council, with the Brothers of Italy and the Südtiroler Volkspartei each getting seven seats.

In 1996, the European Union helped bring together the Austrian province of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino for better culture and economy. This was called the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino.

See also: List of mayors of Bolzano

Main sights

Bolzano has many interesting places to see that show its mix of Italian and Austrian cultures. You can visit the Franciscan Friary, walk down Sparkassenstraße, and explore Kornplatz and Obstplatz.

Some of the main sights include the Walther Square with a statue of Walther von der Vogelweide, a famous German singer. There is also Laubengasse or Via dei Portici, a lovely street with old arches and many shops. The Gothic Cathedral is another important building, started long ago in 1184. Other places to see are the Waaghaus in Kornplatz, the Old Parish Church of Gries, and the Muri-Gries Abbey. You can also visit castles like Castle Maretsch, Runkelstein Castle, and Firmian/Sigmundskron Castle.

Culture

Museums

• South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology shows the famous Ötzi mummy and other important old objects from the South Tyrol area. Because of Ötzi, it is one of the most famous archaeology museums in Italy.
• Runkelstein Castle was built in 1237 by two brothers. The castle is famous for its old paintings from the Middle Ages.
• Bolzano City Museum has many artworks like paintings, sculptures, and everyday objects from South Tyrol. The museum was built in 1905 and is planning a new building to show more of its collection.
• Nature Museum South Tyrol teaches about rocks, plants, and animals in the area. It shows how the landscapes like the Dolomites formed and has many natural science exhibits.
• Museion is a museum for modern and contemporary art. It opened in 1985 and moved to its current location in 2008. The building is a modern cube with bridges, designed by architects.
• Mercantile Museum of Bolzano tells the story of Bolzano's trade history and its role connecting North and South Europe. The museum is in a building that was once a important trade court.
• Bolzano School Museum shows how schools in South Tyrol developed since 1774 when Empress Maria Theresia made school required. It includes special displays about secret schools and a Jewish school near Merano.
• Bolzano Cathedral Treasury shows special religious art, including old paintings and gold work from the 18th century.
• MMM Firmian is part of a museum group started by mountain climber Reinhold Messner. Located at Sigmundskron Castle, it focuses on mountain climbing history and art. It also shows Messner's memories from his climbing trips.
• Semi-rural House shows what life was like for workers in a neighborhood built in the 1930s until the 1980s.
• Documentation Center "BZ '18–'45: one monument, one city, two dictatorships" at the Victory Monument tells about life in Bolzano and South Tyrol during Italian fascism and later under German control. It was the first museum in Italy to explore this difficult time. In 2016, it received an award for doing this important work well.
• Pons Drusi Museum is in a retirement home and shows old pieces like paintings and pots from Roman times. The walls show parts of an old temple and a building with a big hall. Objects from the first century show what Roman life was like in Gries-Bolzano.

Libraries and archives

• Tessmann Library
• University Library of Bozen-Bolzano
• South Tyrolean Provincial Archives
• Civic Archives in Bozen-Bolzano

Cinema and theater

• Bolzano Civic Theater opened in 1999, replacing an older theater destroyed in World War II. It has two halls and shows plays in both Italian and German.
• Concert Hall Bolzano also opened in 1999 and home to the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento. Every two years it hosts the famous Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition.
• Haus der Kultur Walther von der Vogelweide is a theater in the city center that mainly shows German plays for about 500 people.
• Teatro Cristallo is outside the center and mostly shows Italian plays.
• Stadttheater Gries in the Gries-Quirein district holds 371 people and shows plays in German and Italian.
• Theater im Hof on Obstplatz focuses on plays for children and young people, and also on women in theater.
• Carambolage in the city center offers improvisational theater and comedy.
• Batzen Sudwerk under a 600-year-old brewery holds cultural events, often comedy.
• Teatro Cinema Rainerum at the Rainerum Institute holds about 400 people.
• Filmclub Bolzano has three rooms and shows films by local directors. It also hosts the Bolzano Filmfestival and is located in the old town.
• Cineplexx opened in 2009 and shows mostly German films, with some in Italian and English across its seven rooms.
• UCI Cinema opened in 2015 at the "Twenty" shopping center and shows mostly Italian films, with some in English and German in its six halls.

Cultural events

Bolzano holds many special events each year:

• Südtirol JazzFestival lasts up to 10 days with 90 concerts in 50 places by over 150 jazz musicians. Famous international jazz players like Don Cherry, Randy Brecker, Carla Bley, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Collin Walcott have performed.
• Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition happens every two years, started by the Conservatory of Music "Claudio Monteverdi" to honor Busoni. He was important for music in both Italy and Germany.
• Bolzano Filmfestival Bozen began in 1987 as "Bozner Filmtage". It helps local filmmakers and connects them with audiences. Films in Italian and German are shown, with past participants like Tobias Moretti, Fred Zinnemann, Herbert Achternbusch, Michele Placido, and Jiří Menzel.
• Bolzano Festival Bozen each summer features classical music with groups like the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, along with competitors from the Ferruccio Busoni Competition.
• Tanz Bozen - Bolzano Danza is an international dance festival each summer in different city locations, organized by the Haydn Foundation of Bolzano and Trento.
• Christmas market Bozen, founded in 1990, is Italy's first Christmas market. With over 1.2 million visitors in 2005, it's the most visited in Italy, with stalls around the old town.
• Bolzano ShortFilmFestival, working with the Bolzano Filmfestival, gives awards for best short films without words ("No Words") and best Italian short films. It first happened in 1968.

Education

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano started in 1997 and is based in the city of Bolzano. It teaches courses in three languages: German, Italian, and English. It was the first university in Europe to offer courses in three languages. The university also has locations in Brixen and Bruneck. It works closely with universities in Innsbruck and Trento through the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. The university has five main areas of study:

• Economics
• Computer science
• Design and arts
• Science and technology
• Education

State College of Health Professions "Claudiana"

The State College of Health Professions "Claudiana" began in 1993 and, since 2006, has been located near the regional hospital of Bolzano, outside the city center. It was named after Claudia de Medici, who was a leader of the Austrian County of Tyrol. The college trains health workers, like nurses and midwives, and teaches in Italian and German.

Conservatory "Claudio Monteverdi"

The conservatory "Claudio Monteverdi" is a music school in Bolzano. It was founded in 1927 and named after the famous Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi. The school is located in the Dominican monastery and is known around the world for its piano competition held every two years, the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition.

Transport

Bolzano is linked to major roads like the A22 motorway, connecting it to cities such as Trento, Verona, Innsbruck in Austria, and Munich in Germany. The MeBo dual carriageway links Merano and Bolzano, finishing in 1997 to help travelers move quickly.

The city has a train station that opened in 1859. It is part of the important railway route between Italy and Germany and connects to other nearby towns. Many fast trains stop here.

Bolzano plans to build a light rail system covering about 7 kilometers with 17 stops. There are also many bike paths, and many people ride bicycles to get around.

In the past, Bolzano had regular flights to Rome, and during summer, special flights go to places like Cagliari, Olbia, Lamezia Terme, and Catania.

Since 1966, a cable car has linked the center of Bolzano to nearby areas. In 2009, it was updated to a modern system that can carry many people quickly.

Sport

Bolzano holds a special running race each year called the BOclassic. It happens on New Year's Eve and includes races for men and women. The event started in 1975 and is shown live on TV.

The city is also where the Giro delle Dolomiti bike race takes place every year.

Local teams

Football

• FC Südtirol (Serie B)
• AC Virtus Bolzano (Eccellenza)
• Bozner F.C. (Eccellenza)
• Asd Oltrisarco (Prima Categoria)
• Haslacher SV (Seconda Categoria)
• F.C. Gries (Seconda Categoria)
• F.C. Neugries (Seconda Categoria)

Handball

• SSV Bozen Handball A-Elite Liga

Ice hockey

• HC Bolzano Bozen Foxes plays in the ICEHL, winning the title in 2014, their debut year and 2018.

Rugby

• Bolzano Rugby play in the Italian Serie C

Softball and baseball

• Adler
• Pool 77
• Softball Club Dolomiti

Fistball

• SSV Bozen plays in the FBL (Austrian Fistball League), the first Austrian league.

People

Notable people born in or associated with Bolzano include:

From the 18th century, Joseph Tiefenthaler was a Jesuit missionary who wrote about India. Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer zu Gleifheim served as Prince-Bishop of Trent.

In the 19th century, Daniel Harrwitz was a German chess master. Anton Ausserer was a naturalist who studied spiders. Julius Perathoner was the last mayor of Bolzano of German ethnicity.

The 20th century saw many notable figures, including Josef Mayr-Nusser, a South Tyrolean leader of the resistance against Nazi rule, and Maria Luise Thurmair, a Catholic theologian and writer. Carlo Maria Giulini was a conductor, and Silvius Magnago was a lawyer and politician.

In sports, Erika Lechner won medals in luge at the Winter Olympics. Gerda Weissensteiner earned gold in luge and bronze in bobsleigh at different Winter Olympics. Antonella Bellutti was a two-time Olympic champion in track cycling. Isolde Kostner and Karen Putzer both won medals in alpine skiing. Carolina Kostner was a World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating.

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Bolzano is twinned with:

• Erlangen, Germany
• Koziatyn, Ukraine
• Sopron, Hungary