Day trip destination
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle: flower power
Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran holds a lot of interesting facts on the history of tourism in South Tyrol in store for visitors and reveals some botanical wonders.
Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran is a popular destination and features lots of things for adults and children to discover. In this neo-Gothic castle, which has its origins in the Middle Ages, the first museum on tourism in the Alpine area may be found. The gardens surrounding the castle stretch over an area of twelve hectares. There are a whole 80 different garden landscapes to admire with plants from all over the world.
The botancial garden
Anyone visiting the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle should factor in at least three hours for it. The varied natural and cultural landscapes have so much to offer that even several hours are not enough to fully see them all. The gardens are divided into four themed areas: the forest gardens show miniature woodland from America and Asia, the sun gardens are a homage to the plant life of the Mediterreanean area, the water and terraced gardens play with the element of water on a variety of levels and the landscaped garden showcases the diversity of original fauna in South Tyrol.
Year-round activity
The gardens of Trauttmansdorff are continually changing their appearance from spring to autumn. The season begins with an explosion of colour and fragrance, when the first buds open up. In summer, the water lily pond exerts a magical attraction for all visitors. The evening concerts featuring international artists held on the stage on the lake are a particular highlight. Before the gardens go into hibernation, the many colours of autumn are on display – grapes, figs and olives are ready to be harvested. Themed tours through the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and special themed days are put on all year round.
A garden with far-reaching views
The gardens of Trauffmansdorff Castle enjoy a sloping location and span a difference in altitude of 100 metres. This makes for beautiful views at various points. Two viewing platforms with special vantage points await: the spectacular viewing platform designed by Matteo Thun will make visitors feel close to the heavens. The aviaries are located at the highest point in the gardens, home to lorikeets and parrots. A 15-metre-long path leads over a void and promises wonderful views of the surrounding mountains up to the snow-capped peaks of Texelgruppe Nature Park.
Touriseum
Touriseum has been housed in the restored Castle of Trauttmansdorff since 2003. It has dedicated itself to displaying 200 years of Alpine tourism - but is anything but dusty and outdated! History may be experienced on a multi-sensory level at Touriseum. Visitors go on a voyage through time covering various stages and meet interesting and amusing exhibits in the process.
Empress Sisi
Empress Sisi loved the spa town of Meran and Trauttmansdorff Castle. She twice spent her spa holidays in the sunny castle that enjoys a spot sheltered from the wind. In 1870, she spent eight months at Trauttmansdorff Castle with her ailing daughter, two-year-old Marie Valerie. She especially appreciated walks and hikes before the enchanting mountain backdrop. Her second stay at Trauttmansdorff Castle after the death of her son, Rudolf, only lasted for six weeks. Trauttmansdorff reminded her too much of former, happier times explained the unhappy empress at the time.
Trauttmansdorff
Further information
Art and nature have been blending since 2001 at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, set in a natural amphitheatre on the eastern outskirts of Merano, with more than 80 garden landscapes from around the world and several unique Experience Stations, including ten Artist Pavillions and a spectacular viewing platform designed by star architect Matteo Thun, in addition to attractions the Botanical Underworld and a „Lovers’ Garden“.
For this gorgeous picture and the innovating spirit that lies behind its conception, Trauttmansdorff was named Italy’s Most Beautiful Garden in 2005 and Europe’s No. 6 Garden in 2006. Its subsequent crowning as International Garden of the Year in 2013 launched this unique complex in the firmament of world’s most beautiful gardens and parks.
“Take time for yourself - The garden as an oasis of wellbeing”
Did you know that besides presenting an epic visual spectacle, gardens are also a special power spot? Ever hugged a tree and felt recharged by its energy? When was it that you last walked barefoot through the waters of a stream? Or felt the leaves of a sage rubbing against your skin? In the upcoming 2022 flowering season, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle will demonstrate what they have to offer when consciously interacting with them. The 2022 theme: “Take time for yourself – the garden as an oasis of wellbeing”, leads to hidden spots where you can either stop and reflect, or engage in some activity. Walking barefoot and conscious breathing brings you closer to Nature, allowing you to experience your body in a different way. Workshops, seminars and guided tours all form part of the programme. Taking time off at the Trauttmansdorff Gardens means dedicating time to yourself.