San Lorenzo di Sebato
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is the northernmost province in Italy. Located in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, it covers an area of 7,400 km². It has a population of 533,175, making it the largest province in the country. The cultural identity of the province is linked to the German language and Austrian tradition, as well as Italian.
Toponymy
The official name of the province, as established in the Constitutional Law of 1972, is Province of Bolzano or Autonomous Province of Bolzano. The official double denomination in Italian and German is Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol and Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtirol, respectively. The inhabitants of the province are known as Alto Adige or South Tyroleans, but other names such as Sud Tirolo, Sudtirolo, or Tyrol of the South are also used.
Languages and Culture
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is famous for its rich culture. Most of the inhabitants speak German, but there are also people who speak Ladin or Italian. All languages have official status in the province.
The local culture is influenced by Austrian and Italian tradition. On local festivals, you can taste typical dishes such as speck, canederli, and Schlutzkrapfen. You can also see traditional costumes, including typical lederhosen and dirndls.
History
During the Habsburg domination, the territory of the Province of Bolzano was part of Central Tyrol and was known as Mitteltirol. The term Südtirol, on the other hand, was used to indicate today's Trentino or the entire southern part of Tyrol. The Pact of London of 1915 emphasized the distinction between Trentino and Cisalpine Tyrol.
After World War I, South Tyrol passed under Italian control and underwent various Italianization policies. After World War II, the province gained significant autonomy and began a policy of protecting linguistic minorities.
Economy
The economy of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is mainly based on tourism, thanks to its natural beauties such as the Dolomites, lakes, national parks, and cities such as Bolzano and Merano. But the province is also an important industrial center, with a strong presence in the manufacturing and technology sectors.
Conclusions
The Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol is a place with a unique and fascinating culture, with great attention to the protection of linguistic minorities. The province is an important economic and tourist center, but also a reference point for the whole of Italy, thanks to its strong cultural and linguistic identity.
