About Brixen - Todo Südtirol

Brixen is the oldest town in Tyrol and is known for its varied character: the perfect combination of town and mountain, of culture and sport, of enjoyment and experience. Here different cultures and lifestyles meet. Mediterranean in summer and alpine in winter, that is Brixen. Th...

The awareness of our beautiful Brixen has grown even more in recent times. We love our beautiful mountain lakes, the great views and the relaxing places in the city. Whether you long for the feeling of freedom at the top of a mountain, or are looking forward to a moment of pleasure with espresso, ice cream or white wine in the city – Brixen will be happy to provide you with it.

Twice as varied

Art, culture and history play and important role in the historic city centre of Bressanone. The South Tyrolean town is over 1,000 years old; it is the oldest in Tyrol and was often a stopover for Emperors on their travels. It later became a splendid cathedral town. Elephant Soliman had a two week rest in Bressanone on his journey to Vienna in 1552.

Today Bressanone’s history centre offers an interesting mix of joie-de-vivre and reflection. The unique cathedral square, the many listed sacred buildings, the large-scale medieval historic centre, the arcades and the narrow streets framed by merlons, museum treasures, craft tradition and archaeological exhibits wait to be discovered. Modern cafés and excellent restaurants, attractive shops and entertaining events invite you. Bressanone – twice as varied.

Twice as interesting

As early as 10,000 years ago human beings lived in the Bressanone basin. The first settlements date back to the Neolithic period. The “Pressena” recorded in a deed in 828 AD probably refers to Bressanone. In 901 AD Bressanone is recorded as “Meierhof Prihsna” in a Donation of Carolingian Louis IV to Bishop Zacharia of Sabiona. With the construction of the Cathedral, parish and bishop’s palace the settlement slowly grew to become a city. In 1150 it was surrounded with walls. For centuries Bressanone was seat of Prince Bishops with an influence far beyond its borders, acting as a bridge between Southern Germany and Upper Italy. Although the Renaissance left important marks on Bressanone, the city and its architecture are especially characterized by the Baroque period: The Cathedral was re designed and the Imperial Palace of Bressanone, the domicile and administrative office of the bishop, was developed to become a representative palace.

After the construction of the Brenner railway in 1867 Bressanone became a spa town in the South of Tyrol. During the First World War the garrison and hospital city of Bressanone experienced hard times. With the treaty of Saint Germain Bressanone and all of South Tyrol became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Fascism and the Second World War brought more desperate suffering to the city, which only improved after 1945. Although in 1964 the seat of the bishop was moved from Bressanone to Bolzano the city remained the main centre for the Catholic population of South Tyrol.

Today Bressanone is again the economic centre of Valle Isarco and the third largest city in South Tyrol with a very attractive historic centre.