A journey close to heaven: Bressanone, Maranza and Rio di Pusteria

Located in the Isarco Valley, this village in the province of Bolzano offers its visitors a series of architectural and scenic wonders.

Populated since the Neolithic, the oldest city in the Tyrol reached its peak in the Middle Ages, but the traces of the architecture of the historic center testify to the fact that the village has been one of the most active centers of the area until today.

Among the main attractions of Bressanone is impossible not to mention the cathedral with its three phases of construction: 980 AD, 1200 and the Baroque period, to which is attached the cloister, one of the most famous monuments of the entire region thanks to the Gothic frescoes of particular value that decorate the vault. Still in the city you cannot miss a visit to the Abbey of Novacella, to the Episcopal Palace and to the Habsburg Fortress built by Francis I and located at 65,000 meters above sea level.

Bressanone is equally important for its beautiful landscape: the Plose mountain, the Ponente mountain and the surrounding villages are ideal for excursions of all kinds and to reach the many mountain huts and typical restaurants.

Along the east coast of Bressanone we meet the famous Karlspromenade. This is a historical promenade built at the beginning of the 20th century in memory of Emperor Charles I of Austria who loved to walk in these places and enjoy the beautiful views.

Not far from Bressanone, these two villages are located just a few kilometers from each other (also accessible by cable car) in the heart of the Pusteria Valley. Maranza is the ideal destination for hikers: in summer, the sunny green meadows offer a unique view before heading for the mountain paths that surround the valley. After all, the town boasts 280 days of sunshine a year! In the small village situated at 1,414 meters you can visit the parish church of St. Jakob and the Three Holy Virgins, a late baroque building with a gothic bell tower.

Maranza is also ideal for winter hiking: from here you can reach the ski resort Rio Pusteria, at 2,107 meters above sea level, and the Gitschberg mountain from which you can admire more than 500 peaks! The view of the Dolomites and the Zillertal, Stubai and Ötztal Alps is a pleasure to enjoy all year round.

Rio di Pusteria boasts a picturesque medieval old town with well-preserved traces of the old city walls and pretty little churches. From here, you can reach the Val di Valles, the Alpe di Rodengo-Luson and Spinga by bus in no time at all, all unmissable destinations to enjoy the nature of Tyrol.

The Rio Pusteria ski resort has slopes for every level of ability. With 55 kilometers of slopes and 15 lifts, it is the largest ski area in the Isarco Valley.

But as you know, the mountains are also an appetite: Traditional mountain huts invite visitors to enjoy South Tyrolean specialties such as the famous canederli or Knödel (stale bread dumplings consumed in various parts of Europe), Schlutzkrapfen (ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese typical of the Val Pusteria), Tirtlan  (a sheet of rye flour filled with ricotta cheese, spinach, potatoes or sauerkraut, or also available in a sweet version), as well as typical cheeses such as the Pustertaler Bergkäse, the cheese of Alta Pusteria (Hochpustertaler), the mountain cheese of Sesto (Sextner Almkäse), the Graukäse, the gray cheese, and the original cheese of Dobbiaco (Toblacher Stangenkäse). For dessert, you can't miss the classic apple strudel or the famous krapfen, leavened dough fried in a pan and filled with apricot jam, but also with cream or chocolate.

At 1,500 meters above sea level, the Tratterhof is the highest hotel in the Gitschberg Jochtal/Rio Pusteria vacation region. Located precisely in Maranza, this hotel offers a view of the enchanting city of Bressanone and the two main valleys of the area (Val Pusteria in the east and Val d'Isarco in the south). Imagine how exclusive it can be to be able to enjoy this scenery after having a sauna or a massage in the Monte Silva Spa, or to follow a typical cooking class to the sound of dumplings. You can also enjoy forest tours, wine tastings of local wines such as Lagrein and Santa Maddalena, and excursions organized by those who know the area and can help you fully immerse yourself in the South Tyrolean climate.