Meran history
A health resort awakes
Prehistoric finds shows an early settlement of the basin of Meran about 2000 B.C. The Roman changed 15 B.C. the village "Castrum Majense" into a military base because its location at the most important transalpine North-South connection. A witness to these is the well-known, even existing Via Claudia Augusta. At the beginning of the Middle Ages the strategically situation of Meran had its considerably importance for trade of the new occupation of Ostrogoth, franc, Langobard and Bajuwar. Within the 13th Century Meran became city – even capital and centre of the County if Tyrol. Meran increases into an important administration centre. After the county had been handed over to the Habsburg family in 1363 after the abdication of Countess Margarete Maultasch of Tyrol the court moved to Innsbruck. Meran subsequently lost its predominant position and almost all its importance as an economic hub across the roads connecting Italy to Germany.
Not until the beginning of the 19th Century Meran drew attention again because of the Tyrolean struggle for freedom of 1809. Afterwards there were the revolutionary changes that Meran became a health resort. Well-known scientists and doctors shows first time great interest in the mild climate of the city and the small calm city developed into a chic health resort. The climatic health resort Meran became a popular destination for the middle European nobility. Apart from the Habsburg family with Sissi, the most popular guest, also the Prussian, English, French and Russian nobility delighted in the climate and charming landscape of Meran. During this period there was the greatest boom: Meran got a new road system, elegant hotel and new leisure facilities, the grand “Kurhaus”. New gardens, walks and popular green spaces arose that still characterize city’s flair.
World War one finished these heyday. Afterwards was the rebuilding. Touristic attractions like the “Kurbad” of Meran and the opening of the horse racing arose. World War two Meran became hospital city and therefore it was protected by bombs. Despite the devastating economic consequences the structures of Meran got preserve and the economic rebuilding were swift. Meran became an important tourist centre of South Tyrol. With the opening of the Thermal bath Meran was made a milestone for a new era as thermal and health resort. Because of its charming tradition and development Meran became an unique charisma as Mediterranean city within the Alps.