Summer Promenade

It runs along the opposite side of the Passer River compared to the Winter Promenade and provides a refreshing escape, thanks to the many shade-giving trees that line the path – including Lebanese cedars, sequoias, poplars, and various species of pine. The promenade begins in Elisabeth Park, a 7,100-square-metre green space that not only offers tranquillity and relaxation but also features a unique monument: an elegant statue of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, affectionately known as Sisi. Created in 1903 by the sculptor Hermann Klotz from Imst, using white Laas marble, the statue shows the empress seated in a quiet, contemplative, almost solitary moment on a grassy patch, lending the sculpture an understated dignity.

Merano has a long tradition of urban planning, which dates back to 1850, when the town’s development as a spa destination began. The city made clever use of the Passer’s embankment walls, creating extensive recreational areas in the second half of the 19th century, including the summer park that is now Elisabeth Park. The aim was to blend nature with the urban landscape by integrating green spaces and botanical highlights, thus giving the growing spa town the character of a garden city. Merano’s favourable climate played a crucial role in this: warm air flows in from the south through the broad Adige Valley, while the towering Texel mountain range to the north protects the town from cold winds. This mild, sub-Mediterranean climate allows a rich variety of plants from the Mediterranean, Asia, and North America to thrive here – a true paradise for nature lovers.

The Summer Promenade owes its name to the many trees that grow along its path, providing shade and a welcome sense of refreshment to those out for a walk. Strolling here, one can experience the history of Merano in all its richness – from its imperial past to its years as a renowned spa destination – while being surrounded by a natural environment that is far more than just a place to unwind: it is a haven of inspiration, peace, and beauty.

Along the Summer Promenade, there are also some artworks from the cultural project Art & Nature, which took place in 2015 and 2016 as part of the Merano Spring festival. The aim of the project was to set natural sites in Meran’s urban setting and artworks in relation to each other.