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Visit Bruneck

Bruneck (Brunico) is found to the north-east of the Tentino-Alto Adige region, to the north of the dolomites in a valley overlooked by wooded slopes and the Kronplatz mountain and ski resort.

Dating originally from the 13th - 14th centuries, this pretty market town has an interesting to explore old centre, with narrow streets squeezing between medieval houses, and a main street of colourfully painted houses, many with attractive balconies and hanging flower displays. Keep alert as you wander around, there are numerous small features - statues in niches, ancient doorways, etc that give Bruneck its individuality and character.

The Old Town of Bruneck is located around the picturesque “Monte del Castello” [“Mount of the Castle”], which belonged to the Bishops of Brixen. The Via Principale is rich in historic mansions, among them that of Michael Pacher (1430-1498), a famous South-Tyrolean painter and sculptor.

In this quaint town it is worth visiting the churches. The neo-Romanesque Parish Church is built on the foundations of three churches that preceded it over the centuries. Of the Gothic church, destroyed by fire in 1850, remain standing the walls of the sanctuary with the spurs. These were incorporated into a new construction. The frescoes depict the life of Virgin Mary, by Georg Mader (1824-1881, an Austrian painter), in the style known as the Nazarenes*. The altarpieces were painted by the Austrian painter Franz Hellweger (1812-1880). The bronze relief, known as "Epitaph of Kempter," in the atrium of the church at the left column, is attributed to Hans Reichle of Brixen (1570 approx.-1642). Christ carrying the cross assisted by the Cyrene on the central pillar of the left is a wooden sculpture of the fifteenth century. The 15th century "Pieta" (sculpture in stone) is located to the left of the altar while the crucifix above the baptismal font is probably a work by Michael Pacher, a native painter of this city.

* Note: the Nazarenes were a Group of young and idealistic German painters of the early nineteenth century. They believed that art should be at the service of religious or moral intentions and wished to return to the spirit of the Middle Ages. The core group was formed in 1809, when six students of the Academy of Vienna formed an association called the “Brotherhood of St. Luke” (“Lukasbrüder”), so named by the patron saint of painting. The name “Nazarenes” [used for the first time around 1817] was attributed to them jokingly, for their devout lifestyle and  flowing hair.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is of Baroque style. In it we see the representation of the Baroque "Baptism of Christ" by Franz Unterberger (1707 - 1776); situated in the valley, and perched on a big rock. It was built in 1455 and enlarged in the sixteenth century. The church contains numerous sculptures and crucifixes. The church was founded by Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464) and dedicated to the Trinity. Worthy of note are the wooden statues of St. Oswald, Kilian and Ursula and the Crucifix.

The early 15th century Church of the Ursulines is of Gothic style. The fresco of the crucifixion, a work by Hans von Bruneck (16th century), was destroyed in 1758. The Crypt of Ursulines is the oldest part of the whole building of the monastery, dating back to 1410. Near the gate of the Ursulines, known as Porta di Sotto, is situated  the Ursuline convent, built in 1741. The tower is decorated with various pictures and coats of arms, the most important of which, by the painter Hans von Bruneck, was partially damaged during work to extend the arc in 1758.

The Church of St. Catherine, situated on the hill of the castle, dates back to 1345 with 17th century baroque elements. Within the church stands a tombstone of white marble by Leonhard Stuckh (14th century), and 18th century frescoes in the south portal depicting the saints Catherine, Sebastian and Wolfgang. The two peaks were added after a great fire in 1723. The bell became the emblem of the city.

Also to be visited is the castle of Bruneck. It is surrounded by a massive wall with towers. The castle is still well preserved; the entry, on the south side of the castle, originally only accessible via a drawbridge, consists of a late Gothic portal, dated 1584. On the tower above are the arms of Bishop Andreas von Österreich (1591-1600).

Another place meriting a a visit is Bruneck Civic Museum, which holds the collection of Michael and Friedrich Pacher, a collection of graphic works of modern and contemporary artists of the region and a section devoted to "graphics and literature". On the ground floor just off the lobby, there is the permanent exhibition of the late Gothic works by Michael Pacher (1430-1498), and apprentices. There are also some valuable woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). On the first floor there are the temporary exhibitions. The museum gives great importance to the graphic works of the twentieth century of regional and international artists.

Interesting from the standpoint of local folklore is the Provincial Museum of Customs, an open air museum, with several mills, granaries and local traditional furnishings. Among the most fascinating destinations of Brunico, we also mention the War Cemetery, where the fallen are buried on the Dolomite front of the two World Wars.

Besides being a great art city, Brunico is famous with tourists for both summer and winter sports. The ski area “Plan de Corones” offers excellent opportunities to practice a variety of winter sports such as skiing, sledding or snowboarding, and in summer for cyclists there are plenty of suitable routes, and perhaps a refreshing dive in the water park.

As regards the local cuisine, there are plenty of restaurants offering traditional dishes of great interest to gourmets, with specialties such as goulash with "canederli", and game with mushrooms.

See also history of Brunico