Walterplatz square description and photos - Italy: Bolzano (Topic)

Walterplatz square description and photos - Italy: Bolzano. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Walterplatz.

Photo and description

Walterplatz is the main square of Bolzano, located in the very center of the old part of the city and named after the medieval poet Walter von der Vogelweide. It is here, in this square, that the Christmas and Flower markets are held, as well as the Pumpkin Festival. By the way, the famous Christmas market annually attracts up to a million visitors!

Walterplatz was founded in 1808 on the site of a vineyard owned by the Bavarian royal family. King Maximilian sold the vineyard to the municipality of Bolzano for 3,000 florins, on the condition that it be turned into a square. Gradually, houses and hotels began to be built around - one of the first was Hotel Greif. In those years, Bolzano, thanks to its mild climate and beautiful surrounding landscapes, as well as well-preserved medieval buildings, became a popular tourist destination. To accommodate numerous aristocratic tourists, the first luxury hotels were built.

In 1889, a statue of the poet Walter von der Vogelweide, who lived in 1168-1228, was erected in the center of the square. During the years of the fascist regime, it was removed from here, but later returned to its place. Bolzano Cathedral, the train station, and various historic buildings that today house banks, cafes and restaurants are visible nearby. I must say that in different years the square bore different names - Maximilian Platz in honor of the Bavarian king, Johannas Platz, Walterplatz, then Vittorio Emmanuele Square, Madonna Square and, finally, Walterplatz again. During its not very long history, this square has seen many historical figures - Napoleon, Emperor Franz Joseph, his heir Charles I, Italian king Victor Emmanuel III and Mussolini.

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Topic: Walterplatz square description and photos - Italy: Bolzano.