Merano

Merano is the second largest city in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, after Bolzano, with 42,046 residents as of the end of 2024. It became capital of the County of Tyrol in the 13th century, a status it held until the court moved to Innsbruck in 1420, and its mild climate later made it a fashionable spa destination within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, drawing visitors including Franz Kafka and Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the 19th century; the city still blends Austrian and Italian heritage in its architecture and continues its tradition of wellness tourism through its historic spa resorts.