The rocks of the 'Five Towers' are lined up next to one another according to size like organ pipes. The Torre Grande, Torre Seconda, Torre Latina, Torre Quarta and Torre Inglese are particularly popular with rock climbers. Near the rocks are two huts in which walkers and hikers can take refuge.
This is the nerve center of the city and is an obligatory stop for tourists as well as being the best place from which to start a trip around the old town. The square is closed to all traffic except buses and takes its name from the white marble monument (1889) which stands in its center, this monument is dedicated to the medieval German poet, Walther von der Vogelweide. Piazza Walther is also known as the city's 'drawing room' and is surrounded by all sorts of buildings and two of the best hotels in the city, the Greif and the Città. During the summer, the bars and cafes put tables and chairs outside. It is a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. The Duomo is located just a few meters away from the square, and is the most important Gothic construction in the region. The bell tower is 65 meters tall and was built in the 16th century, while the cathedral itself, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, was begun in 1295 and completed at the beginning of the 15th century.
The Museo d'Arte Moderna was founded in 1985 by a private organization in collaboration with the Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano. The museum makes every effort to make use of its location between the Italian and German cultural and linguistic areas. In 1991, the museum changed its name to Museion to highlight the fact that it is also involved with other forms of contemporary art apart from art collections and exhibitions. The museum has two floors, the ground floor (used for temporary exhibitions, offices, and library) and the basement (storage and workshops) inside the building which was constructed in 1860 was used as a hospital for many years.
A fun-filled destination for mountain climbers and skiers, Tofane is a series of snow-covered mountain peaks in the Dolomites that are nestled in the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo. They can be easily accessed by a cable-car that takes the visitor from Cortina to the highest peak of the group, Tofane di Mezzo. A mountain trail is also provided to reach the destination. The peaks are popular during the skiing season and cabins are also provided for tourists who wish to spend a night in the snow-capped wilderness.
Built in the late-18th century, Basilica Minore dei Santi Filippo e Giacom is a major church in Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy. This basilica is also known as Chiesa Parrocchiale. It reflects its mesmerizing Baroque-style architecture. This old basilica was designed by the renowned architect, Joseph Promperg. It started out as a parish before being accredited as a minor basilica. Of particular note is the basilica’s ivory bell tower and its massive church organ. This basilica is a must-visit for architecture lovers.
Renon Cableway in Bolzano, Italy has revolutionized travel with shorter travel times and frequent Gondolas. It is a fabulous mode of transport with a breathtaking view of the city and is very accessible through the historic downtown. Not just a convenient way of transport but it is also a popular tourist attraction.
The Piazza dei Domeinicani is located 100 meters (330 feet) to the west of the Duomo. It was renovated in 1999 and is closed to all traffic. The square contains the church of the same name with its adjoining cloisters. It was built in 1270 and was one of the first Gothic buildings in the Alto Adige. The church is particularly important for its splendid rich frescoes by the Paduan Giottan school, dating back to the first half of the 14th Century. You should visit the cloisters which contain frescoes by Friedrich Pacher (1496). The Chiesa dei Cappuccini is located just to the south of this church and was built in the 17th Century. Piazza Domenicani suffers slightly from the competition with the nearby Piazza Walther and the continual comings and goings of buses in the latter square, and therefore is slightly less crowded. The Galleria Civica Comunale is located next to the Dominican cloisters, and hosts temporary exhibitions. The Conservatorio Monteverdi, one of the most important cultural and scholastic structures in the city, is located next to the square. Every August it hosts the prestigious international piano competition named after the composer Ferruccio Busoni.
Mont Civetta seen from the Agordino valley, is perhaps the best symbol of the Dolomites. Standing guard at the west of the range, the name of the mountain means ‘little screech owl’, perhaps because its shoulders look quite like wings. Hikers approach from the east, not for its beauty but the challenge of the climb. To attempt the route by ski is quite dangerous and only for the local professionals. There is a ski resort on the mountain that is quite popular for its night skiing.
The Rosengarten group is a part of the Dolomites of Northern Italy. Its highest peak is Kesselkogel at 3002 meters (9849 feet) and the other peaks include Rosengartenspitze, Vajolet and Laurinswand .The meaning of its name is rose garden, this being derived from the pink hue that dominates the mastiff. There is a legend of King Laurin and his beautiful rose garden surrounding this range. This dwarf king had kidnapped a beautiful princess and hid in his rose garden, thinking no one would ever find them. But the swaying roses gave him away. In his anger the king cursed the garden that no one would see the garden's beauty in the day or night. Thus it is only during the sunrise and sunset that the dolomites in the mountains seem to absorb and reflect the color.
A part of the Dolomites, the Sass Rigais is a tall peak measuring 3025 meters (9925 feet). It is a popular peak among mountain-climbers and trekkers. The north-face offers sweeping views of the rest of the mountain range and its rolling valleys. The peak is easily accessible from San Martin de Tor, after which the road Via Ferrata leads the way to the top. Due to the relatively easy trek, it can get especially crowded during summer.
In good weather its surface reflects the impressive silhouette of the Rosengarten (Catinaccio) In the local dialect this lake is also called Rainbow Lake. The play of colours on the water and the mountain panorama create a singular backdrop, which delighted both Empress Sissi of Austria and Winston Churchill. Fed by underground springs and melting snows, the level of the lake fluctuates continually, being at its highest in the springtime when the lake reaches a depth of up to 22 m.