Bolzano Transportation and Attractions - Otzi the Ice Man

Bolzano (Bozen) is an Italian city close to the Austrian border. Italian now, although for many years it was argued which country it should belong to. Thanks to this, however, Bolzano, combining the best of Italian and Austrian cultural characteristics, is so very interesting and different from all others. The city lies in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of South Tyrol in a valley on the Isarco (Eisack) River and is surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites, some of which reach as high as 2,000 meters.

Bolzano's biggest attractions

Although Bolzano is a large city, the historic center is relatively small and can easily be explored on foot.

Piazza Walther (Waltherplatz)

This is the largest and most important square in Bolzano. It was named after Walther von der Vogelweide the medieval minnesänger, or itinerant German poet and musician, whose statue can be found in the middle of the square.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This monumental cathedral was built in 1517 in two styles - Romanesque and Gothic. Despite the severe damage it suffered during World War II, the medieval frescoes or sandstone pulpit, among others, are preserved inside.

Via dei Portici and Piazza delle Erbe

Via dei Portici (Laubengasse) is a 300-meter-long shopping street full of stores, boutiques and bookstores located in historic, colorful townhouses. For the obligatory shopping, also go to the small market in Piazza delle Erbe, where you can always find fresh fruits, vegetables and many local products.

Ötzi - the man of ice

A must-visit point during a trip to Bolzano is the South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum. It is dedicated to the "ice man," who died around 3300 BC and is considered the oldest man on earth. He was named Ötzi - after the Ötzal valley in South Tyrol, in the Ötztal Alps, where he was found in 1991 by two German tourists, Helmut and Erika Simon. Ötzi's mummy is available for viewing at the museum in a special chamber that mimics glacier conditions, and is the best preserved human mummy to date, the finding of which revolutionized knowledge of human history. In addition, the museum houses many reconstructions, models and artifacts, including the original costume of the famous ice man and his weapons. Thanks to researchers, it is possible to learn a lot of information about Ötzi - including what his health was like and what he ate before he died.

Messner Mountain Museum

This museum was founded by Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner and introduces visitors to the science of mountains and glaciers, as well as the history of mountaineering and mountain settlement.

Roncolo Castle (Runkelstein)

Built in 1237, this castle is famous for its very well-preserved 14th-century secular frescoes depicting, among other things, scenes of court life or the story of the famous heroes of legends, Tristan and Isolde. The castle is located less than 5 kilometers from the center of Bolzano on a rock overlooking the Talvera River, thus offering additional beautiful views of the surrounding area.

Cable car

This cable car takes you from Bolzano to Soprabolzano in just a few minutes to an altitude of more than 1,200 meters to the Kohlern mountain, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Dolomites. It is the oldest passenger cable car in the world - it dates back to 1908.