THE GARDENS OF TRAUTTMANSDORFF CASTLE

    
     On the sunny slopes above Merano/Meran, Italy lies the Gardens ofTrauttmansdorff Castle. This beautiful amphitheater of flowers, plants, and forests from all over the world has been the recipient of several major awards including “Italy's Most Beautiful Garden” in 2005, the “International Garden of the Year” in 2013, and the 2021 “European Award for Ecological Gardens.”

The thirty acres of exotic gardens surround a castle that was made famous by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria (affectionately nicknamed Sissi). Her winter visits here for health reasons inspired aristocrats from all over Europe to come to Merano. Empress Sissi arrived by carriage, along with her entourage, for the first time in 1870. She returned several times making it her favorite winter residence. Known for the therapeutic benefits of its local water sources, it's still a famous European spa resort.

    On our recent visit to Merano, I enjoyed an afternoon meandering around these special gardens that include some of the paths that Sissi frequented. It's full of colorful blooms, foliage, walkways, forests, ponds, terraced gardens, and much more. It was easy to get lost in an area that is said to represent 80 garden landscapes from around the world. There were also many places to sit quietly, reflect and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

I returned to town on a two-mile route referred to as a Sissi's Path. Like many of the walks around Merano, it passed by vineyards, apple trees, castles, stone walls, arches, villas, and other hidden treasures.

   I visited Merano in 2017, here is what I wrote at that time:

“Merano, South Tyrol Italy – A Hikers Paradise” June 22, 2017