The gardens were designed to exhibit the plant life of the entire world within the footprint of South Tyrol.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria stayed at the castle twice, in 1870 and 1889, helping establish Merano as a premier health resort.
The Touriseum is housed within the castle and uses interactive displays to showcase 200 years of tourism history.
The site features a 'Geology Trail' that illustrates the complex rock formations of the surrounding Adige Valley.
The gardens are divided into four main sections: Sun Gardens, Forest Gardens, Water and Terraced Gardens, and the Landscapes of South Tyrol.
A suspended viewing platform called the 'Matteo Thun Platform' offers panoramic views over the entire garden complex and Merano.
The castle grounds include a dedicated area for rare and ancient crops that were historically cultivated in the region.
The microclimate is influenced by the surrounding mountains, which protect the valley from cold winds and promote early spring blooms.
Castel Trauttmansdorff is a historic castle in Merano housing the Touriseum, a museum dedicated to the history of tourism in the Tyrol region. The site features over 80 botanical landscapes organized by geographic origin, spanning 12 hectares on a natural amphitheater slope. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, famously stayed here for health reasons in the late 19th century. The gardens demonstrate a unique microclimate due to the basin's topography, allowing Mediterranean flora to thrive despite the alpine surroundings. Visitors can explore the 'Forbidden Garden,' the 'Sun Gardens,' and water landscapes along marked trails. The castle structure itself serves as the interpretive center for the cultural history of alpine travel. The site is meticulously maintained as part of a larger ecological project involving research and preservation of rare species. It operates primarily as a seasonal botanical attraction.
The Matteo Thun Platform, which provides a dramatic bird's-eye view of the castle and the surrounding botanical amphitheater.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the garden paths are steep and involve significant changes in elevation.
Bring a water bottle to refill at the various fountains located throughout the garden paths.
Plan your visit to coincide with the blooming periods of the lily or rose gardens for the most vibrant visual experience.
Avoid visiting during the height of the midday sun in mid-summer, as the exposed terraced areas have limited shade.
Open seasonally from April through mid-November; closed during the winter months.
Stick to designated paths to protect the delicate botanical displays and refrain from picking any flowers or plants.
