AN OASIS AMIDST THE ALPS
Experience diverse garden worlds on the sunny side of the Alps
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are located just outside Merano (Meran) in Italy’s Alto Adige, the former Austrian province of Südtirol or South Tyrol. Both ecologically constructed and state-of-the-art, the Gardens feature various landscapes with plants from all over the world, a juxtaposition of historical and modern architecture and numerous interactive stations that fuse art and nature. Trauttmansdorff has become a popular attraction for both locals and foreign visitors who enjoy a rejuvenating, inspiring sensory journey in which nature can be experienced in its totality.
Italy’s “Most Beautiful Garden of 2005”: a Flagship for Tourism in South Tyrol
The Gardens, which cover an area of just 12 hectares, were constructed over a seven-year period and have earned a reputation as botanical gardens with a contemporary flair. They are South Tyrol’s most popular tourist attraction, having drawn more than two million visitors since their inauguration in 2001. With terraces nestled into a natural amphitheatre and aerial views of the city of Merano and the surrounding mountains, the site was voted Italy’s “Most Beautiful Garden” in 2005; just a year later, it was placed onto the ‘Europe’s Top Ten Gardens’ list and voted number six.
Empress Elisabeth or “Sissi”: Trauttmansdorff’s Most Honoured Guest
At the Gardens’ centre stands Trauttmansdorff Castle, a noble residence with a tumultuous 700-year history where Sissi, the beloved empress of Austria, made her winter residence in 1870 and again in 1889. Today, the castle houses a museum that recounts 200 years of Alpine tourist history: the Touriseum, nominated for a European Museum Award in 2006, features engaging exhibits and audio installations that bring Sissi to life and immerse visitors in her thoughts and experiences.
The Whole World in One Garden
With the mildest climate in German-speaking Europe, Merano meets all the conditions necessary for cultivating exotic trees and shrubs that would not normally survive winter in the Alps. The Gardens are designed to give visitors an experience of a wide array of natural environments: Forests of the World presents miniature woods from North America and Asia; the Sun Gardens inspire with their Mediterranean flair; Landscapes of South Tyrol provides insight into the local flora; while the Water and Terraced Gardens fuse historical European garden design with water and step elements. The Show Gardens complete the package, exhibiting special plant collections.
Gardens in Motion
The Gardens’ dynamic appearance is in constant evolution throughout the four seasons: more than 200,000 tulips and narcissuses ring in spring, followed by cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, peonies and roses. Summer brings fragrant lavender, water lilies and lotus flowers, which seduce visitors until sumptuous fruits emerge against a backdrop of autumn colours. Eleven Artist Pavilions playfully interpret the processes of nature, all the while maintaining both their aesthetic and educational functions.
Ecological Orientation and Cost-Effectiveness
The Gardens are owned by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Bozen), South Tyrol, and are operated by the Estate Management branch of the Laimburg Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry. Since 2002, they have generated enough revenue to cover operating costs — a remarkable achievement for a public institution. Consistent quality in presentation, delivery and service are top priorities. The approach of the Gardens is also strongly ecological: a woodchip-burning furnace and gas system heat the entire complex while pests and plant diseases are managed gently and naturally. The Gardens can be easily reached from Merano by public transportation or via a footpath that traces Sissi’s route. As a ‘garden without barriers’, special care is taken to allow for a carefree visit for guests with disabilities.
Because it is a public garden, Trauttmansdorff strives to remain on the leading edge of design, care and maintenance as well as to clearly manifest the social and environmental consciousness of both its staff and the people of South Tyrol.
