The Gardens of Trauttmannsdorf Castle

In the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, plants from all over the world are gathered together and typical landscapes of South Tyrol are presented. Paths meander uphill through water and terraced gardens, leading to the Sensual Garden or the Japanese Garden, to the cacti and succulents mound or to cultivated plants of the south, like the olive tree and the grapevine.

  A hundred and fifty years ago, the first exotic plants were brought to Merano and planted here and there in the extensive parks of the resort. In the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, however, the plants are arranged according to their country of origin, taking into account the relationships between natural vegetation, climate, locality and human influence. Hence, natural habitats such as the Japanese alluvial forest are found alongside rice terraces and tea plantations. The climatic conditions in Merano have proven particularly favourable; it has the mildest winters in the German-speaking part of Europe. Therefore, many things can be realised here which would be impossible north of the Alps.

The Water and Terraced Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle bring together a wide variety of different types of gardens: stepped paths lead to the formal Italian-style Garden, to the English Garden of Herbaceous Perennials and to the Sensual Garden. Perfectly trimmed evergreen shrubs are followed by colourful flower borders. The steps are accompanied by watercourses that flow into the gently curving water-lily pond with its colourful bank vegetation.