South Tyrol’s most popular attraction, situated in Merano, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle present more than eighty garden landscapes (natural and cultivated landscapes) with plants from around the globe on a surface area of 12 hectares. The gardens – encircled by the snow-blanketed mountains of the Texel Group, which tower to elevations of 3,000 meters – are divided into four themed areas: Forests of the World features forests from the Americas and Asia in miniature. The Sun Gardens sweep visitors into Mediterranean landscapes. The Water and Terraced Gardens comprise formal garden areas with stairways and water features. Last but not least, Landscapes of South Tyrol grants insight into the original plant life of the region.

The strength of the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle lies in its unique combination of art and nature – its ten Artists Pavilions are a good example – as are its inclusion of thematically relevant animals and its juxtaposition of historical and contemporary architecture. In addition, there are multifaceted Experience Stations, a concert series specially designed for the gardens, and striking blooming highlights in flux throughout the course of the year. Then there is the castle, a former holiday residence of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, which houses the Touriseum, the first museum of tourism in the Alps. A final reason behind why Trauttmansdorff is such a success is its setting: nestled into a terraced amphitheatre with an altitude differential of 100 meters, the gardens offer panoramic views of Merano and the surrounding mountains.

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle is a total sensory experience for both anyone who is young –or young at heart. It’s a place of recreation and a place to just hang out; it’s for laymen as well as for botanical experts. In recognition of this successful blend of nature and art, and for its innovative spirit, Trauttmansdorff was named Italy’s Most Beautiful Garden in 2005; just a year later, it earned the distinction of being voted Europe’s No. 6 Garden.

Because of its location, in the Italian province of South Tyrol, Trauttmansdorff serves a bridging function between the German-speaking and Italian-speaking areas, living and communicating in a multilingual way. Respect for the world of plants – ecological and sustainable plant care is a top priority – finds its equivalent in the peaceful coexistence of the garden visitors, who enjoy the gardens as a harmonious and conflict-free place where many cultures come together.

At Trauttmansdorff, the main focus is our visitors. Good service is vital to us, from the reception area at the visitor centre to our meticulous maintenance of the stroller- and wheelchair-friendly paths to the regional specialities served at Schlossgarten Restaurant and the Palm Café. In accordance with the theme Gardens in Motion, the look of the gardens changes every week; new garden areas and unique attractions are added every year.

The origins of Trauttmansdorff Castle, the architectural centrepiece of the gardens, go all the way back to the Middle Ages. The structure was first documented in 1300 as Neuberg Castle. The medieval walls are still visible on the southwest side, and the crypt dates from that period. The fresco room has also been preserved from the Renaissance period.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Count Joseph von Trauttmansdorff bought the dilapidated building and renovated it using neo-Gothic elements. Trauttmansdorff Castle is thus Tyrol’s earliest example of a neo-Gothic castle. The next owner, Baron Friedrich von Deuster raised the east wing of the castle one level by adding the grand Rococo Hall in 1899, significantly altering the shape of the castle. The castle, which had been neglected after the world wars, was renovated again between 2000 and 2003: the siding, chapel, crypt, Rococo Hall, and Empress Elisabeth’s second floor living quarters have all been restored to their former splendour.

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff are part of South Tyrol’s leading agricultural research facility: Laimburg Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry; it was, in fact, built by Laimburg Estate Management. As a province-owned botanical garden, Trauttmansdorff is managed as a recreational attraction with a great deal of team spirit and in accordance with principles of modern corporate governance.