Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle: blooming splendour & spectacular views and vistas

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are one of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol and an absolute highlight during your stay in Meran. Opened in 2001, the botanical gardens extend over 12 hectares, offer seven kilometres of paths and impress with a height difference of 100 metres. In the 1840s, Count Trauttmansdorff had the ruined castle of his ancestors rebuilt and transformed it into an impressive palace in the popular neo-Gothic style. This architectural model inspired many other castle owners in South Tyrol.

Trauttmansdorff Castle became particularly famous through the visits of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi. During her spa holidays in Meran, she fell in love with the romantic atmosphere of the castle. Her daughter Marie Valerie recovered from an illness just a few weeks after her arrival in 1870, which considerably enhanced Meran's reputation as a spa town. The empress returned 19 years later and once again raved about the marvellous surroundings. Today, visitors can follow in Sissi's footsteps by exploring the Sissi Trail from the spa promenade in Merano to the gardens of the castle.

The botanical garden around the castle forms a natural amphitheatre and is home to plants from all continents in over 80 different garden landscapes. Here you will find everything from a traditional South Tyrolean cottage garden to highland plants from the Andes. Themed gardens, artists' pavilions and numerous leisure attractions combine alpine landscapes with exotic flora and offer a wealth of overwhelming impressions.

From Schenna, you can reach the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in no time at all and can easily plan a whole day full of discoveries for you and your family. A visit here is not just a journey through nature, but also through the history and beauty of South Tyrol.