Merano Old Town: Popular meeting place with interesting sights

So visitors here encounter the medieval arcade street, which dates back to the 13th century. Here, not only are there numerous traditional shops and taverns, but there is also the opportunity to admire various archways and oriel windows. Historically, the arcades originated as mountain and water arcades, today the arcade street is one of the most important shopping streets of the Merano old town. At the end of the arcades stands the town parish church St. Nicholas, a late Gothic building with a tower about 80 meters high and an impressive fresco of St. Christopher.

Ascending alleys then lead you to the Steinach district, where you can also stop by the popular Santer Klause, a venerable restaurant. In the past, the Merano court met in the Klause and under the plaster of the houses, various business signs can be recognized, suggesting that the economy once flourished here. In Steinach, the construction of the city began in the 13th century and many of the buildings still testify to what it originally looked like. An impression of this is given by the Passeier Gate, one of the three city gates of Merano that are still preserved. In earlier times, an executioner lived at the gate and next to it was a brothel. During excavation work in the former brothel, a dye works was also discovered, which is also visible in the works of the artist Friedrich Wasmann. In general, the Steinach district is often referred to as the artists' quarter, as new studios and workshops are constantly being created here. For example, the artist Jakob de Chirico, the restorer Gabriele Bertagnoli, or the printer Friedrich Höllrigl have settled in the alleys, who also belong to an association whose goal is to preserve the Steinach district.

The second preserved city gate is the so-called Bolzano Gate, from where you can stroll along the spa promenade. Along the promenade, visitors also encounter notable historical buildings, including the famous Kurhaus, which was built in 1874 and consists of the impressive Kursaal, the Art Nouveau Pavilion des Fleurs, and the Rotunda.