Bolzano

Bolzano, known in German as Bozen, is a city in northern Italy and the capital of the autonomous province of South Tyrol in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It lies in a valley near the Dolomites at an elevation of about 262 meters above sea level.

With roughly 107,000 residents in the municipality, Bolzano is the largest city in South Tyrol and serves as a cultural and economic hub for the province. The city is officially bilingual, with German and Italian widely used, and it is part of a region where Ladin is spoken in surrounding valleys.

Historically, Bolzano was part of the County of Tyrol within the Habsburg realms and became part of Italy after World War I. In 1972 the province obtained wide autonomy within Italy, establishing a framework for local government and cultural protection that remains a defining feature of the area.

Economy and culture in Bolzano are driven by tourism, services, and agriculture, including the production of apples and wine. The city is a gateway to the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and hosts attractions such as the Piazza Walther, Bolzano Cathedral, and the Runkelstein Castle. The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano houses Ötzi the Iceman, a well-preserved natural mummy discovered nearby.

Transport links include the A22 Brenner Motorway and the Brenner railway corridor, which connect Bolzano with northern Italy and Austria. Bolzano Airport serves general aviation, while commercial flights are typically routed through larger nearby airports. The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, established in 1997, provides higher education and research opportunities in the region.