Brunico is the main town in the Plan de Corones Puster Valley holiday region. The town is located at Rienza River and was founded in the 13th century. Brunico lies at 840 metres above sea level. Being the biggest town in the eastern part of South Tyrol, Brunico is the economic, political and cultural centre of the Puster Valley.
Highlights in Brunico:
- Brunico Castle: Brunico Castle thrones above the town on a hill. Bishop Bruno von Kirchberg ordered the construction of the castle in the 13th century in order to protect his areas in the Puster Valley. Today, Brunico Castle hosts the fifth MMM – Messner Mountain Museum by Reinhold Messner. Each year, guests from a different mountain region (e.g. Sherpa, Indios, Tibetans, Mongols, Hunza) spend their summer in the MMM in order to talk about their way of living.
- According to the ADAC leisure time atlas, South Tyrol's Museum of Ethnography in Teodone is one of the most beautiful outdoor museums in Europe. The open-air area shows old farm houses and handcraft rooms which provide an insight into the various types of houses and farms. In the Mair am Hof manor, the centrepiece of the museum, several collections from religious and profane art like pipes, straps and zithers are exhibited.
- Birth place of Michael Pacher: visit the birth place of Michael Pacher, a renowned painter and sculpture from the Late Gothic period. Pacher is the only South Tyrolean artist who can be found in the National Gallery.
- Stadtgasse - Historic shopping street: The "Stadtgasse" is the main shopping street in Brunico. The buildings in the Stadtgasse are picturesque residences with ancient frescos, interesting gable constructions and all types of shops.
- Town gates: the town is confined by four town gates: the Ragen Gate in the upper town, the Ursulinen Gate, the Rienza Gate and the Floriani Gate.
- Farmers' market: From June to October a farmers' market takes place every Friday morning at the "Graben" in Brunico. Farmers from the surroundings offer vegetables, fruit, juices, cereals, cheese, bacon, meat, eggs, herbal products, farmers' bread and other farming products for sale.
- The Soldiers' Cemetery is one of the most impressive sights in town. Several military hospitals were located in Brunico during World War I. Many wounded and sick soldiers and prisoners of war died here. Also soldiers from World War II rest at this cemetery.