Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran, South Tyrol : Winter domicile of Empress Sisi

Looking at the impressively laid out terraces encircling the water lily pond and the fantastic panorama over the Meran mountains, you can well understand that even Empress Sissi felt at home here. She twice moved her winter residence to Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran. Today it houses a tourism museum, which tells the story of 200 years of tourism in the Tyrol. For some years a botanical garden has been attached to the castle, in which you can marvel at plants from all over the world.

Exotic beauties and native treasures
Thanks to Meran’s mild climate, old cultivated plants of the Mediterranean region such as olives, lemons, vines, cypresses and lavender thrive in the sun gardens. From the water garden and terraced gardens stepped paths lead to the Italian garden, the Garden of the Senses or further down to the water lily pond garden. You can become acquainted with the diverse world of the native plants in the landscapes of South Tyrol, whilst deciduous trees and conifers of American and Asiatic origin alternate in the forest gardens.

Popular destination for family outings
The gardens are a popular destination for family outings with children. One of the high points for children is the aviary where the mountain parrots with their iridescent blue and green feathers "dwell", and the grotto with a multimedia show about the origin of life. Children also have great fun exploring the region’s geological mosaic with a rock map of North and South Tyrol and Trentino, finding the right way through the garden maze or running through the Auwald over the two-metre high adventure bridge.