Brixen

Brixen, known in Italian as Bressanone, is a town and comune in the autonomous province of Bolzano (South Tyrol) in northern Italy. It is the historical seat of the Diocese of Brixen and one of the oldest towns in Tyrol.

The town sits in the Eisacktal (Isarco) valley along the Eisack River, about 40 kilometers north of Bolzano. It lies near the Brenner Pass and is connected by the Brenner railway and major roads, with an environment that blends alpine scenery with a well-preserved historic urban fabric.

Brixen’s growth developed around the bishopric established in the early Middle Ages, making it an important religious and cultural center in Tyrol. The town preserves a compact medieval core, including the Bishop’s Palace and several churches. After World War I, the region was annexed by Italy and is now part of the autonomous province of Bolzano within Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, characterized by local autonomy and a bilingual character.

The population is predominantly German-speaking, with Italian widely used; many residents are bilingual. The historic center features the Brixen Cathedral (Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary), the Hofburg (Bishop’s Palace), and other churches and arcaded streets. The town hosts cultural events and markets, including traditional Christmas markets.

Economy and transport are oriented toward tourism, services, and agriculture. Brixen is served by the Brenner railway line and provincial roads, with connections to Bolzano and Innsbruck, forming part of the broader Tyrolean tourism region.