No matter from which side Bruneck in the green Pustertal valley is approached, the first thing that someone sees is the large, beautiful Bruneck Castle. It is enthroned on the peak of a green hill and houses one of the Messner Mountain Museums, the RIPA, which is devoted to the mountain peoples of this world (>>>virtual tour). Not far from there lies the War Cemetery. An uncertain number of soldiers from the most varied of origins found their final resting place here in individual and mass graves. From these green places of tranquility, it is not far to one of the imposing gates to the city. Façades with artistic gabled construction, numerous display windows, and possibilities to stop off for a bite or a drink compete for the favor of the visitor – this is the famous Via Centrale-Stadtgasse of Bruneck, which may well be the loveliest shopping street in all of South Tyrol.
The Bruneck in overview is best seen from somewhat higher up, from the Kronplatz. There, where the Concordia bell tolls for peace daily at noon. The slender bell tower with the fine point was built on an 11 m (36 ft.) wide panorama platform. From here, there is a broad view of both city and countryside, of the green of the Pustertal valley and the gray mountain giants of its side valleys. And the Gais Culture Path or an excursion to the earth pyramids are good reminders of how close the city of Bruneck still is to nature.
