Alto Adige
Alto Adige
Territory: Alto Adige, the most northern region of Italy, in the heart of the eastern Alps, has a surface area of 7,400 sq. km. Whith valleys and mountains unfolding continuously, its landscape presents a varied aspect, from the mountainous zone of Orties, (Solda, Trafoi, Val Martello) to the pale peaks of the Dolomites and to the porphyry walls of Bassa Atesina. A dominant and majestic scene of the South Tryolean Alps is constituted by the Dolomites, which get their name to the particular calcareous rock of which they are compounded. Their origin stems from the Triassic period, one hundred and fifty million years ago. A third of the territory is protected under strict landscape and environmental laws, which is guaranty and a promise of interesting walks across the following parks: Sciliar/Schelern, Puez/Odle/Puez-Geisher, Monte Corno/Trudner Horn, Dolomites of Sesto/Sextner Dolomites, Vedrette di Rics/Riesen-femer, Sarentine Alps/Santaler Alps and the National Stelvio/Stilfser Nat. Park.
Major Cities: The independent province of Bolzano (Bozen) is endowed with a special statute; Bozen is the main town of the province and seat of the local government. Other important centres are Merano (Meran), Bressanone (Brixen), Brunico (Buneck) and Vipiteno (Sterzing).
To Be Visited: Alto Adige is a land of many castles: the best preserved castles, which can be visited are the following:
-in Appiano, castles (Schloss) Eppan and Gant
-in Bolzano, castles Runkelstein and Fontana
-in Campo Tures, castle Sand in Taufeis
-in Castelbello, castle Kastelbell
-in Casteldarme, castle Ehrenburg - in Cemes, castle Tscherms - in Bressanone, the monasterigs of saben and Neustift - in Velturno, castle Feldthurns - in S. Lorenzo, castle Badia - in Vipiteno, castle Thurn - in Sluderno, castle Chur - in Merano, castle Tyrol - in Fie, castle Prosels - in Malles, the abbey of Mariaberg - in Rodengo, the castle Rodeneck.