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Meran (German) / Merano (Italian) is the second biggest city of South Tyrol, in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy. Probably best known for its spa resorts, it is located inside a basin, surrounded by mountains standing up to 3,335 m, at the entrance to the Passeiertal-Val Passiria, the Vinschgau-Val Venosta and the Ultental valleys. In the past the town has been a popular place of residence for many famous scientists and doctors, who appreciated the mild, mediterranean climate and the pure, healthy air.
Among the town's landmarks are the Museum of Tourism, which was opened in the spring of 2003 and shows the historical development of tourism in the South Tyrol, and the botanic garden. Both sites are located in the Chateaux Trauttmansdorff.
History
The meranese valley was inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, as showed by the presence of mehirs and other findings. The story of the city proper began in 15 BC when the Romans occupied the Adige valley founding a military camp, Castrum Majense. It has been incorrectly claimed as the seat of the line of Duke of Merania which however was a Dalmatian principality. Meran-Merano was elevated to the status of a city during the 13th century. It was capital of the county of the Tyrol from 1418 to 1848.
After the county had been handed over to the Habsburg family in 1363 after the abdication of Countess Margarete Maultasch of Tyrol, in 1420 Friedrich IV moved the court to Innsbruck. Meran-Merano subsequently lost its predominant position and almost all its importance as an economic hub across the roads connecting Italy to Germany. The important mint was also moved to Hall in 1577.
The Tyrolean struggle for freedom of 1809 drew attention again to Meran-Merano. In that year, on the Küchelberg above the city, the Tyroleans eked out a victory against the French and Bavarians troops. After World War I, Meran-Merano became part of Italy with the rest of the South Tyrol. Unlike Bozen-Bolzano, the plans of the fascist regime to assimilate the German-speaking citizens by setteling a majority of citizens from other parts of the Italian kingdom failed because of skillful negotiations of the city administration led by Baron Marcart. Nevertheless, all originally tyrolean geographic names were prohibited and exchanged through Italianised names (even surnames lost their validity until World War II). After 1945, it became one of the most important sites of tourism in the region.
Languages
According to the 2001 census, 51,50 % of the Meranese population is German speaking, 48,01% Italian speaking, and 0,49% of Ladin language.
Sports
In 1981, the World Chess Championship match between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi was held in Merano. A chess opening, the Meran Variation, was named after the town. The first act of the musical Chess is about a world chess championship match in Merano.
The city's handball team is one of the most important of Italy, winner of the scudetto in 2005. The ice hockey team won two national championship, but it is currently playing in the Second Division (A2 series).
See also
External links
- http://www.meraninfo.it Official website
- http://www.gemeinde.meran.bz.it Official website
Images
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"Meran-Merano"