Monguelfo-Tesido
Introduction to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol
Hello everyone! I want to talk to you about the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol. This is the northernmost province of Italy and belongs to the Trentino-Alto Adige region, with an area of over 7,000 km² and a population of about 533,175 inhabitants. It is the largest province in Italy, and both because of its geographical location and linguistic and cultural reasons, the autonomous province of Bolzano is part of the Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino Euregio, together with the autonomous province of Trento and Tyrol in Austria.
Toponymy
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano has a double name: "Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol" or "Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol". Even the inhabitants are referred to in different ways depending on their language background, but the most commonly used version is "Alto Adigeans". There are also other terms such as "South Tyrol", "Südtirol" or "Tirolo del Sud" to refer to the province of Bolzano and "sudtirolesi" for its German or Ladin-speaking inhabitants.
History
During the Habsburg era, the territory of today's province of Bolzano was called "Mitteltirol", or Central Tyrol, while "Südtirol" (South Tyrol) often referred to today's Trentino or the entire southern part of Tyrol (essentially Trentino-Alto Adige), where it distinguished between Italian southern Tyrol ("italienisches Südtirol", "Welschsüdtirol" or "Welschtirol", i.e. Trentino) and German ("Deutschsüdtirol", current South Tyrol State). Therefore, according to some authors, the term "Südtirol" to indicate the area between Brenner and Salorno is unjustified.
During World War I, there was Article 4 of the Treaty of London, which expressly spoke of "Trentino" and "Tirolo cisalpino" (south of Brenner) separately. In 1919, with the Treaty of Saint-Germain, Trentino and South Tyrol were assigned to Italy.
Language
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is characterized by a plurality of languages, a linguistic mishmash that reflects the history of the territory. In fact, there are three language groups: Italian, German, and Ladin.
German is the mother tongue of the majority of the German-speaking population and is used at an official level.
Ladin, a Romance language self-declared "own" to the Ladin people (whose historical settlements are found in the high Val di Fassa), is spoken in some Dolomite valleys of the province, such as Val Gardena, Val Badia, and Val di Fassa.
Italian is the mother tongue of a minority of Alto Adigeans: about 25% of the province's population speaks Italian. Nevertheless, from a legal and constitutional point of view, Italian is one of the three official languages of the province.
Traditions
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol boasts a wide variety of traditions, linked to the different cultures present in the territory. Folk traditions are very important in this region and are celebrated on many occasions, some of which are very particular.
For example, the tradition of "Krampus", a mythological figure present especially among German-speaking populations, is celebrated on the evening of the Immaculate Conception. The Krampus are demons that are exhibited by young men in the male population with very suggestive masks.
The "Perdon di Assisi" is another very important celebration that takes place on August 2 in Bolzano and San Giacomo in Val di Funes. On this occasion, the "Middle Justice" and the "Main Justice," the two organs that governed the city of Bolzano during the medieval period, are celebrated.
Cuisine
In addition to traditions, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol has a great culinary tradition. The cuisine is very varied and reflects the influences of the surrounding areas: Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, and Austria.
Among the typical dishes of this region are "spatzl", an egg pasta similar to tagliatelle, which is seasoned with butter and speck, a kind of smoked ham. There are also strudels, asparagus omelets, canederli alla trentina (a kind of dumplings made of bread stuffed with bacon or cheese or otherwise savory), and soups such as "barley soup" or "potato soup" or barley soup with fava beans.
The Attractions
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is full of attractions for all tastes. The province is famous for its natural beauties, such as the Dolomites, which have been UNESCO heritage since 2009, and for its numerous museums, as well as for the architecture of the ancient cities present on its territory.
Among the main attractions of the province is the city of Bolzano, where it is possible to visit the Archaeological Museum of South Tyrol and the Dominican Church, as well as the archaeological area of Gries. There are also castles built by the prince-bishops, such as Tures Castle and Taufers Castle.
The sporting activities that can be carried out in the province are many: skiing, excursions in the Stelvio National Park, bike rides, rock climbing, horse riding, and golf are just some of the activities that can be done in this territory.
Conclusion
Here is the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, one of the most beautiful areas of Italy, rich in traditions and attractions. Here you can find the perfect combination of Italian and German culture, nature and architecture, ancient traditions, and modern tourist centers. I can't wait to come back to this wonderful region!
