BOLZANO

'Bolzano' (Italian: ''Bolzano''; German: ''Bozen'', archaic ''Botzen''; Ladin: ''Bulsan''; Latin: ''Bauzanum''; many of the region's Italian languages/dialects use ''Bolzan'' or ''Bulsan'') is a city in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy. It is the capital of the province of Bolzano-Bozen.
The ''South Tyrol Museum of Archeology'' in Bolzano is where the ice-mummy "Ötzi" is kept.

The city is also the home of the Italian Army's Alpini High Command (COMALP) and some of its combat and support units.

Contents

History

Society and economy

Main sights

City districts and neighboring communities

Twin cities

Transportation

Sport

External links

History

Initially inhabited by the Raetians, the area was settled by the Romans in 15 BC, by general Nero Claudius Drusus, to whom referred the name of the first settlement in the area (an army camp with a bridge by the Isarco river). The nearby founded village was called ''Bauzanum''. Bolzano has been a trading point since its foundation and elevation to a town over 800 years ago, due to its location in between the two major cities of Venice and Augsburg. Four times a year a market was held and traders came from the south and the north. The mercantile magistrate was therefore founded in 1635. Every market season two Italian and two German officers (appointed from the traders who operated there) worked in this office. The city was a cultural crosspoint at that time.

Society and economy

According to the 2001 census, 73% of the city inhabitants were Italian speakers. Of the remainder, 26% speak German and 1% Ladin as their first language. The city thrives on a mix of old and new—high-quality intensive agriculture (including wine, fruit and dairy products), tourism, traditional handicraft (wood, ceramics) and advanced services. Heavy industry (machinery, automotive, steel) installed during the 1930's has now been mostly dismanteled. On the downside, the local economy is very dependent on the public sector, and especially the provincial government.

Main sights

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.

City districts and neighboring communities

City districts:

★ Centro-Piani-Rencio (German: ''Zentrum-Bozner Boden-Rentsch'')

★ Don Bosco

★ Europa-Novacella (German: ''Europa-Neustift'')

★ Gries-San Quirino (German: ''Gries-Quirein'')

★ Oltrisarco-Aslago (German: ''Oberau-Haslach'')
Neighbouring communities are: Eppan an der Weinstraße, Karneid, Laives, Deutschnofen, Ritten, Jenesien, Terlan, and Vadena.
Other important nearby towns are Brixen, Bruneck and Merano.

Twin cities

★ Sopron, Hungary

Transportation

Highway A22-E45 to Trento and Verona and to Innsbruck and Munich. Railway (main line between Italy and Germany).
The Bolzano Airport (IATA: BZO) has flights to Rome, Vienna, Milan and more.

Sport

★ F.C. Südtirol-Alto Adige plays in Serie C2

★ F.C. Bolzano 1996 plays in Serie D

★ SSV Bozen Handball A1

★ HC Villani Bolzano Bozen Foxes play in Serie A (hockey)

★ Golf Clubs:Petersberg,Lana,Passeier,Pustrertal,Seis

External links

★ Homepage of the city

★ Tourism office of the city

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