Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol Autonome Provinz Bozen – Südtirol(Austrian German) Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige(Italian) Provinzia autonoma de Balsan/Bulsan – Südtirol(Ladin)
TheAtlas Tyrolensis, showing the entire County of Tyrol, printed in Vienna in 1774
The province is granted a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget. As of 2023, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in theEuropean Union.
In the wider context of the European Union, the province is one of the three members of theTyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino Euroregion, which corresponds almost exactly to the historical region ofTyrol.[6] The other members are the Austrian federal stateTyrol to the north and east, and the Italianautonomous province of Trento to the south.
According to the 2024 census, 57.6% of the population used German as their first language (standard German in the written form and theSouth Tyrolean dialect ofAustro-Bavarian in the spoken form); 22.6% of the population spoke Italian, mainly in and around the two largest cities (Bolzano andMerano); 3.7% spokeLadin, aRhaeto-Romance language; 16.1% of the population (mainly recent immigrants) spoke another native language in addition to Italian and German. Of116 South Tyrolean municipalities, 102 have a German-speaking, eight a Ladin-speaking, and six an Italian-speaking majority.[7]TheItalianization of South Tyrol and the settlement of Italians from the rest of Italy after 1918 significantly modified local demographics.[8][9]
A map from 1874 showingSouth Tirol with approximately the borders of today's South andEast Tyrol
South Tyrol (occasionallySouth Tirol) is the term most commonly used in English for the province,[10] and its usage reflects that it was created from a portion of the southern part of the historicCounty of Tyrol, a former state of theHoly Roman Empire andcrown land of theAustrian Empire of theHabsburgs. German and Ladin speakers usually refer to the area asSüdtirol; the Italian equivalentSudtirolo (sometimes parsedSud Tirolo[11]) is becoming increasingly common.[12]
Alto Adige (literally translated in English: "Upper Adige"), one of the Italian names for the province, is also used in English.[13] The term had been the name of political subdivisions along theAdige River in the time ofNapoleon Bonaparte,[14][15] who created theDepartment of Alto Adige, part of theNapoleonic Kingdom of Italy. It was reused as the Italian name of the current province after its post-World War I creation, and was a symbol of the subsequent forcedItalianization of South Tyrol.[16]
The official name of the province today in German isAutonome Provinz Bozen — Südtirol. German speakers usually refer to it not as aProvinz, but as aLand (like theLänder of Germany and Austria).[17] Provincial institutions are referred to using the prefixLandes-, such asLandesregierung (state government) andLandeshauptmann (governor).[18]The official name in Italian isProvincia autonoma Bolzano — Alto Adige, in LadinProvinzia autonoma Bulsan — Südtirol.[19][20]
South Tyrol as an administrative entity originated during theFirst World War. TheAllies promised the area to Italy in theTreaty of London of 1915 as an incentive to enter the war on their side. Until 1918, it was part of theAustro-Hungarian princelyCounty of Tyrol, but this almost completely German-speaking territory was occupied by Italy at the end of the war in November 1918 and was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1919. The province as it exists today was created in 1926 after an administrative reorganization of theKingdom of Italy, and was incorporated together with the province of Trento into the newly created region ofVenezia Tridentina ("TrentineVenetia").
With the rise ofItalian Fascism, the new regime made efforts to bring forward theItalianization of South Tyrol. The German language was banished from public service, German teaching was officially forbidden, and German newspapers were censored (with the exception of the fascisticAlpenzeitung). The regime also favoured immigration from other Italian regions.
The subsequent alliance betweenAdolf Hitler andBenito Mussolini declared that South Tyrol would not follow the destiny of Austria, whichhad been annexed byNazi Germany. Instead the dictators agreed that the German-speaking population be transferred to German-ruled territory or dispersed around Italy, but the outbreak of theSecond World War prevented them from fully carrying out their plans.[21] Every citizen was given the choice to give up their German cultural identity and stay in fascist Italy, or to leave their homeland for Nazi Germany to retain their cultural identity. This resulted in the division of South Tyrolese families.
In this tense relationship for the population,Walter Caldonazzi from Mals was part of the resistance group around the priestHeinrich Maier, which passed plans and information about production facilities forV-1 rockets,V-2 rockets,Tiger tanks,Messerschmitt Bf 109, andMesserschmitt Me 163 Komet and other aircraft to the Allies. The group planned for an independent Austria with a monarchical form of government after the war, which would include Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol.[22][23]
Austrians demonstrating in 1946 at a peace conference in favour of having the southern Tyrol region returned to Austria
After the war, the Allies decided that the province would remain a part of Italy, under the condition that the German-speaking population be granted a significant level of self-government. Italy and Austria negotiated an agreement in 1946, recognizing the rights of the German minority.Alcide De Gasperi, Italy's prime minister, a native of Trentino, wanted to extend the autonomy to his fellow citizens. This led to the creation of the region calledTrentino-Alto Adige/Tiroler Etschland. TheGruber–De Gasperi Agreement of September 1946 was signed by the Italian and Austrian Foreign Ministers, creating the autonomous region ofTrentino-South Tyrol, consisting of the autonomous provinces ofTrentino and South Tyrol. German and Italian were both made official languages, and German-language education was permitted once more. Still Italians were the majority in the combined region.
This, together with the arrival of new Italian-speaking immigrants, led to strong dissatisfaction among South Tyrolese, which culminated in terrorist acts perpetrated by theBefreiungsausschuss Südtirol (BAS – Liberation Committee of South Tyrol). In the first phase, only public edifices and fascist monuments were targeted. The second phase was bloodier, costing 21 lives (15 members of Italian security forces, two civilians, and four terrorists).
The South Tyrolean Question (Südtirolfrage) became an international issue. As the implementation of the post-war agreement was deemed unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, it became a cause of significant friction with Italy and was taken up by theUnited Nations in 1960. A fresh round of negotiations took place in 1961 but proved unsuccessful, partly because of the campaign ofterrorism.
The issue was resolved in 1971, when a new Austro-Italian treaty was signed and ratified. It stipulated that disputes in South Tyrol would be submitted for settlement to theInternational Court of Justice inThe Hague, that the province would receive greater autonomy within Italy, and that Austria would not interfere in South Tyrol's internal affairs. The new agreement proved broadly satisfactory to the parties involved, and the separatist tensions soon eased.
The autonomous status granted in 1972 has resulted in a considerable level of self-government,[24] and also allows the entity to retain almost 90% of all levied taxes.[25]
Plaque at a German-language school in both Italian and German
In 1992, Italy and Austria officially ended their dispute over the autonomy issue on the basis of the agreement of 1972.[26]
The extensive self-government[24] provided by the current institutional framework has been advanced as a model for settling interethnic disputes and for the successful protection of linguistic minorities.[27] This is among the reasons why the Ladin municipalities ofCortina d'Ampezzo/Anpezo,Livinallongo del Col di Lana/Fodom andColle Santa Lucia/Col have asked in a referendum to be detached from Veneto and reannexed to the province, from which they were separated under the fascist government.[28]
In 1996, theEuroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino was formed between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino. The boundaries of the association correspond to the old County of Tyrol. The aim is to promote regional peace, understanding and cooperation in many areas. The region's assemblies meet together as one on various occasions, and have set up a common liaison office with theEuropean Union in Brussels.
South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by the Austrian federal statesTyrol andSalzburg, and by theSwiss canton ofGraubünden to the west. The Italian provinces ofBelluno,Trentino, andSondrio border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively.
The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types ofshrubs andforests and is highly mountainous.
Entirely located in theAlps, the province's landscape is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is theOrtler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in theEastern Alps outside theBernina Range. Even more famous are the craggy peaks of theDolomites in the eastern part of the region.
The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from the west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border.
The province is divided into eight districts (German:Bezirksgemeinschaften, Italian:comunità comprensoriali), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called the district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes.
Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups:
TheAdige valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about 0 °C (32 °F)) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about 23 °C (73 °F)), usuallyclassified ashumid subtropical climate — Cfa. It has the driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area isBolzano.
The midlands, between 300 and 900 metres (980 and 2,950 ft), with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between −3 and 1 °C (27 and 34 °F)) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between 15 and 21 °C (59 and 70 °F)). This is a typicaloceanic climate, classified as Cfb. It is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area areMeran,Bruneck,Sterzing, andBrixen. Near the lakes in higher lands (between 1,000 and 1,400 metres (3,300 and 4,600 ft)) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to asubpolar oceanic climate, Cfc.
Meran/Merano in the summer
The alpine valleys between 900 and 1,400 metres (3,000 and 4,600 ft), with a typicallyhumid continental climate — Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between −8 and −3 °C (18 and 27 °F)), and the summers, mild with averages between 14 and 19 °C (57 and 66 °F). It is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area areUrtijëi,Badia,Sexten,Toblach,Stilfs,Vöran, andMühlwald.
The alpine valleys between 1,400 and 1,700 metres (4,600 and 5,600 ft), with asubarctic climate — Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between −9 and −5 °C (16 and 23 °F)) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about 12 °C (54 °F)). These areas usually have five months below the freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area areCorvara,Sëlva,Santa Cristina Gherdëina.
The highlands above 1,700 metres (5,600 ft), with analpinetundra climate, ET, which becomes anice cap climate, EF, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as the higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) have an average temperature of about −5 °C (23 °F), while in the valleys at about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), the mean temperature may be as low as −8 or −9 °C (18 or 16 °F). The higher lands, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) are usually extremely cold, with averages of about −14 °C (7 °F) during the coldest month, January.
Langkofel group in the western Dolomites in winter
The periadriatic seam, which separates theSouthern Alps from theCentral Alps, runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of the Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible.[30]
In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixengranite was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about the same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strongvolcanic activity that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In theTriassic, massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in the Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity.
In South Tyrol, theEastern Alps consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble andMesozoic sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of the Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge).[31]
The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12 km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and theRitten Earth Pyramids, which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to 30 metres (98 ft).[32]
According to the Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are the Dolomites, parts of which were recognized byUNESCO in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site".
Although some isolated massifs approach 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) and show strongglaciation (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres (6,600 and 9,800 ft). Among the multitude of peaks, theDolomites are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: theOrtler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, theSchlern (2,563 metres, 8,409 ft) as the country's "landmark" and theDrei Zinnen (2,999 metres, 9,839 ft) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are theKönigspitze (3,851 metres, 12,635 ft), theWeißkugel (3,739 metres, 12,267 ft), theSimilaun (3,599 metres, 11,808 ft), theHochwilde (3,480 metres, 11,417 ft), the Sarner Weißhorn (2,705 metres, 8,875 ft), the Hochfeiler (3,509 metres, 11,512 ft), the Dreiherrnspitze (3,499 metres, 11,480 ft), the Hochgall (3,436 metres, 11,273 ft), the Peitlerkofel (2,875 metres, 9,432 ft), the Langkofel (3,181 metres, 10,436 ft) and the Rosengartenspitze (2,981 metres, 9,780 ft).
The extensive mountainlandscapes, about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the 57 square kilometres (22 sq mi) of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of formervalley systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as the "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlementhistory.[33]
The three main valleys of South Tyrol are theAdige Valley, theEisack Valley and thePuster Valley, formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen (1,507 metres or 4,944 feet) to Töll (approx. 500 metres or 1,600 feet) near Merano, is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause (207 metres or 679 feet), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain atVerona.
At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with the Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel (1,210 metres or 3,970 feet). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun, the Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz.
In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the totalland area is above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level and only 14% below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).[34] Therefore, a large part of thepopulation is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between 100 and 1,200 metres (330 and 3,940 ft), mainly in the area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture.
The most important river in South Tyrol is theAdige, which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about 140 kilometres (87 mi) to the border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of 415 kilometres (258 mi) in Italy is exceeded only by thePo, drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) long, and the Rienz, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in the tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by theDrava andInn river systems to theBlack Sea and by thePiave river system to theAdriatic Sea, respectively.[35]
In South Tyrol there are 176 naturallakes with an area of more than half ahectare (1¼ acre), most of which are located above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft)altitude. Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) altitude: the Kalterer See (215 metres, 705 ft), the Großer (492 metres, 1,614 ft) and the KleinerMontiggler See (514 metres, 1,686 ft). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee (1,498 metres, 4,915 ft), which with an area of 523 hectares (2.02 sq mi) forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee (1,850 metres, 6,070 ft) and the Arzkarsee (2,250 metres, 7,382 ft).
Thenatural monuments designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee (1,494 metres, 4,902 ft), the Karersee (1,519 metres, 4,984 ft) or the Spronser Seen (2,117–2,589 metres, 6,946–8,494 ft).[36]
Approximately 50% of the area of South Tyrol is covered byforests,[37] another 40% is above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between 1,900 and 2,200 metres (6,200 and 7,200 ft). In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and ataltitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 metres (3,900 and 5,900 ft). Approximately 24% of the forest area can be classified asprotective forest preserving settlements, traffic routes and other humaninfrastructure. A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms.
The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered withriparian forests, of which only very small remnants remain along therivers. The remaining areas have given way to settlements andagricultural land. On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to 800 or 900 metres (2,600 or 3,000 ft) altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downyoak. From about 600 metres (2,000 ft) of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between 800 and 1,500 metres (2,600 and 4,900 ft), spruce forests are found; between 900 and 2,000 metres (3,000 and 6,600 ft), montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine andstone pine. The larch and stone pine forests at the upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpinegrasslands and, lately, alpinetundra dominate the landscape as vegetation types.[38]
The local government system is based upon the provisions of theItalian Constitution and the Autonomy Statute of the RegionTrentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.[39] The 1972 second Statute of Autonomy for Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtiroldevolved most legislative and executive competences from the regional level to the provincial level, creatingde facto two separate regions.
The considerablelegislative power of the province is vested in an assembly, theLandtag of South Tyrol (German:Südtiroler Landtag; Italian:Consiglio della Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano; Ladin:Cunsëi dla Provinzia Autonoma de Bulsan).The legislative powers of the assembly are defined by the second Statute of Autonomy.
The executive powers are attributed to thegovernment (German:Landesregierung; Italian:Giunta Provinciale) headed by theLandeshauptmannArno Kompatscher.[40] He belongs to theSouth Tyrolean People's Party, which has been governing with a parliamentary majority since 1948. South Tyrol is characterized by long sitting presidents, having only had two presidents between 1960 and 2014 (Silvius Magnago 1960–1989,Luis Durnwalder 1989–2014).
A fiscal regime allows the province to retain a large part of most levied taxes, in order to execute and administer its competences. Nevertheless, South Tyrol remains a net contributor to the Italian national budget.[41]
Widmann Palace in Bolzano, seat of the provincial government
The provincial government (Landesregierung) of South Tyrol (formerly also called provincial committee,Giunta provinciale inItalian,Junta provinziala inLadin) consists of a provincialgovernor and a variable number of provincialcouncilors. Currently (2021), the provincial government consists of eight provincial councilors and the provincial governor. The deputies of the provincial governor are appointed from among the provincial councilors. The current governor is Arno Kompatscher (SVP), his deputies are the provincial councilors Arnold Schuler (SVP), Giuliano Vettorato (LN) and Daniel Alfreider (SVP).
The Governor and the Provincial Councilors are elected byParliament by secret ballot with anabsolute majority of votes. The composition of the provincial government must in any case reflect theproportional distribution of the German and Italian language groups in the provincial parliament. In the past, this provision prevented the German-dominated South Tyrol People's Party (SVP) from governing alone and allowed Italian parties to participate in the provincial government. Since the Ladin language group, with just under 4% of South Tyrol's resident population, has little electoral potential, a separate provision in the autonomy statute allows Ladin representation in the provincial government regardless of their proportional representation in the provincial parliament.
Given the region's historical and cultural association with neighboring Austria, calls for the secession of South Tyrol and its reunification with Austria do surface from time to time among some minor groups of German-speakers, although falling short of a majority in the province, the majority does not support a separation.[42] Among the political parties that support South Tyrol's reunification into Austria areSouth Tyrolean Freedom,Die Freiheitlichen andCitizens' Union for South Tyrol.[43]
In 2016 South Tyrol had aGDP per capita of €42,600, making it the richest province in Italy and one of the richest in the European Union.[44]
The unemployment level in 2007 was roughly 2.4% (2.0% for men and 3.0% for women). Residents are employed in a variety of sectors, fromagriculture — the province is a large producer of apples, and itsSouth Tyrol wine are also renowned — toindustry toservices, especiallytourism. Spas located on the Italian Alps have become a favorite for tourists seeking wellness.[45]
South Tyrol is home to numerousmechanical engineering companies, some of which are the global market leaders in their sectors: the Leitner Group that specializes incable cars andwind energy, TechnoAlpin AG, which is the global market leader in snow-making technology and thesnow groomer companyPrinoth.
The region is, together with northern and eastern Tyrol, an important transit point between southern Germany andNorthern Italy. Freights by road and rail pass through here. One of the most important highways is theA22, also called theAutostrada del Brennero. It connects to theBrenner Autobahn in Austria.
Thevehicle registration plate of South Tyrol is the two-letter provincial codeBz for the capital city, Bolzano. Along with the autonomous Trentino (Tn) andAosta Valley (Ao), South Tyrol is allowed to surmount its license plates with its coat of arms.
TheBrenner Base Tunnel is under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2032. With a planned length of 55 kilometres (34 mi), this tunnel will increase freight train average speed to 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) and reduce transit time by over an hour.[47]
Larger cities used to have their own tramway system, such as theMeran Tramway andBolzano Tramway. These were replaced after the Second World War with buses. Many other cities and municipalities have their own bus system or are connected with each other by it.
German and Italian are both official languages of South Tyrol. In some eastern municipalities Ladin is the third official language.
A majority of the inhabitants of contemporary South Tyrol speak the nativeSouthern Bavarian dialect of the German language.Standard German plays a dominant role in education and media. All citizens have the right to use their own mother tongue, even at court. Schools are separated for each language group. All traffic signs are officially bi- or trilingual. Most Italian place names were translated from German by ItalianEttore Tolomei, the author of theProntuario dei nomi locali dell'Alto Adige.[48]
To reach a fair allocation of jobs in public service a system called ethnic proportion (Italian:proporzionale etnica,German:ethnischer Proporz) has been established. Every ten years, when the general census of population takes place, each Italian citizen has to declare the linguistic group to which they belong or want to be aggregated to. According to the results they decide how many people of which group are going to be employed in public service.[citation needed]
At the time of the annexation of the southern part ofTyrol by Italy in 1919, the overwhelming majority of the population spoke German and identified with the Austrian or German nationality: in 1910, according to the last population census beforeWorld War I, the German-speaking population numbered 224,000, the Ladin 9,000 and the Italian 7,000.[8]
As a result of the Italianization of South Tyrol about 22.6% of the population are Italian-speakers (they were 33%, 138,000 of 414,000 inhabitants in the 1971 census) according to the census of 2024. 102 out of 116comuni have a majority of German native speakers, eight have a Ladin-speaking majority, and six a majority of Italian speakers. The Italian-speaking population lives mainly around the provincial capitalBolzano, where they are the majority (74.7% of the inhabitants), and partially a result ofBenito Mussolini's policy of Italianisation after he took power in 1922, when he encouraged immigration from the rest of Italy.[9]
The other fivecomuni where the Italian-speaking population is the majority areMerano,Laives,Salorno,Bronzolo andVadena. The eightcomuni withLadin majorities are:La Val,Badia,Corvara,Mareo,San Martin de Tor,Santa Cristina Gherdëina,Sëlva,Urtijëi. Most of the immigrants from South Tyrol to the United States identify themselves as being of German rather than Austrian identity. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2015, there were 365 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of Austrian ancestry.[49] By contrast, in the same year, there were 1040 individuals living in the U.S. born in Italy who identified themselves as being of German ancestry.[50]
The linguistic breakdown according to the census of 2024:[51]
The majority of the population is Christian, mostly in the Catholic tradition. TheRoman Catholic Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen corresponds to the territory of the province of South Tyrol. Since 27 July 2011 the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen is Ivo Muser.
The vast majority of the population of South Tyrol is baptized Catholic. There isarchaeological evidence of early Christian sites in the area as early as Late Antiquity;[52] Säben in the Eisack Valley became an important ecclesiastical center during this period, which was only replaced by Brixen as an episcopal see in the lateMiddle Ages. The territory of present-day South Tyrol was divided forcenturies between the dioceses of Brixen, Chur (until 1808/1816) and Trent (until 1964).[53]
The most famous bishop of Brixen was the polymath Nicholas of Cusa. Important figures of the regionalecclesiastical life in the 19th century were the beatified bishop of Trent Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer and the mystic Maria von Mörl.
In 1964, with reference to modern political boundaries, the Bishopric of Brixen, which had lost its extensive territories of North and East Tyrol afterWorld War I, was enlarged to form the Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen, whose extension is now identical to that of the province of South Tyrol. Since then, the faithful have been led by Bishops Joseph Gargitter (1964-1986), Wilhelm Egger (1986-2008), Karl Golser (2008-2011) and Ivo Muser (since 2011). The diocese comprises 28 deaneries and 281 parishes (in 2014), 23 its episcopal churches are theCathedral of Brixen and theCathedral of Bolzano. Cassian and Vigilius are venerated as diocesan patrons.[54] Important references in the current discourses of the local Catholic Church are St. Joseph Freinademetz and Blessed Joseph Mayr-Nusser.
There is aLutheran community inMerano (founded 1861) and another one inBolzano (founded 1889). Since the Middle Ages theJewish presence has been documented in South Tyrol. In 1901 theSynagogue of Merano was built. As of 2015, South Tyrol was home to about 14,000Muslims.[55]
South Tyrol has long-standing traditions, mainly inherited from its membership in the historicalTyrol. TheSchützen associations are particularly fond of Tyrolean traditions.
A Musikkapelle in historic Tyrolean costumes
The Scheibenschlagen are the traditional "throwing of burning discs" on the first Sunday of Lent, the Herz-Jesu-Feuer are the "fires of theSacred Heart of Jesus" that are lit on the third Sunday afterPentecost. TheKrampus are disguiseddemons who accompany St Nicholas.
There are also severallegends andsagas linked to the peoples of the Dolomites; among the best known are the legend ofKing Laurin and that of theKingdom of Fanes, which belongs to theLadin mythological heritage.
Alpine Transhumance (from GermanAlmabtrieb), is a farm practice: every year, between September and October, the livestock that stayed on the high pastures is brought back to the valley, with traditional music and dances. Especially, the transhumance between theÖtztal (in Austria) andSchnals Valley andPasseier Valley was recognised byUNESCO as universal intangible heritage in 2019.[56]
Tyrolean architectureTyrol Castle, which gave the wider region its name
The region features a large number of castles and churches. Many of the castles andAnsitze were built by the local nobility and the Habsburg rulers. SeeList of castles in South Tyrol.
HC IntersparBolzano-Bozen Foxes are one of Italy's most successful ice hockey teams, while the most important football club in South Tyrol isFC Südtirol, which won its first-ever promotion toSerie B in 2022.
^abSteininger, Rolf (2003).South Tyrol, A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century. Transaction Publishers.ISBN0-7658-0800-5.
^Cf. for instance Antony E. Alcock,The History of the South Tyrol Question, London: Michael Joseph, 1970; Rolf Steininger,South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2003.
^Steininger, Rolf (2003),South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, p. 21,ISBN978-0-7658-0800-4
^Heiss, Hans (2003), "Von der Provinz zum Land. Südtirols Zweite Autonomie", in Solderer, Gottfried (ed.),Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol. 1980 – 2000, vol. V, Bozen/Bolzano: Raetia, p. 50,ISBN978-88-7283-204-2
^Hannes Obermair (2020)."Großdeutschland ruft!" Südtiroler NS-Optionspropaganda und völkische Sozialisation – "La Grande Germania chiamaǃ" La propaganda nazionalsocialista sulle Opzioni in Alto Adige e la socializzazione 'völkisch' (in German and Italian).Tyrol Castle: South Tyrolean Museum of History.ISBN978-88-95523-35-4.
^Elisabeth Boeckl-Klamper, Thomas Mang, Wolfgang Neugebauer:Gestapo-Leitstelle Wien 1938–1945. Vienna 2018,ISBN978-3-902494-83-2, pp. 299–305; Hans Schafranek:Widerstand und Verrat: Gestapospitzel im antifaschistischen Untergrund. Vienna 2017,ISBN978-3-7076-0622-5, pp. 161–248; Fritz Molden:Die Feuer in der Nacht. Opfer und Sinn des österreichischen Widerstandes 1938–1945. Vienna 1988, p. 122; Christoph Thurner "The CASSIA Spy Ring in World War II Austria: A History of the OSS's Maier-Messner Group" (2017);Memorial dedicated to four brave Tyrolese resistance fighters
^Ernst Steinicke, Giuliana Andreotti:Das Pustertal. Geographische Profile im Raum von Innichen und Bruneck. In: Ernst Steinicke (Hrsg.):Europaregion Tirol, Südtirol, Trentino. Band 3: Spezialexkursionen in Südtirol. Institut für Geographie der Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck 2003,ISBN3-901182-35-7, S. 14.
^Steininger, Rolf (2003),South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, pp. 21–46,ISBN978-0-7658-0800-4
^Leo Andergassen:Südtirol – Kunst vor Ort. Athesia, Bozen 2002,ISBN88-8266-111-3, S. 7.
^Heinrich Kofler:Geschichte des Dekanats Schlanders von seiner Errichtung im Jahr 1811 bis zur freiwilligen Demission von Dekan Josef Schönauer 1989. In: Marktgemeinde Schlanders (Hrsg.):Schlanders und seine Geschichte. Band 2: Von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart. Tappeiner, Lana 2010,ISBN978-88-7073-531-4, S. 11–186, insbesondere S. 11–15 (PDF-Datei)
^Rainer Seberich (1979). "Singen unter dem Faschismus: Ein Untersuchungsbericht zur politischen und kulturellen Bedeutung der Volksliedpflege".Der Schlern, 50,4, 1976, pp. 209–218, here p. 212.
(in German) Gottfried Solderer (ed.) (1999–2004).Das 20. Jahrhundert in Südtirol. 6 Vol., Bozen: Raetia Verlag.ISBN978-88-7283-137-3.
Antony E. Alcock (2003).The History of the South Tyrol Question. London: Michael Joseph. 535 pp.
Rolf Steininger (2003).South Tyrol: A Minority Conflict of the Twentieth Century. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.ISBN978-0-7658-0800-4.
Georg Grote (2012).The South Tyrol Question 1866–2010. From National Rage to Regional State. Oxford: Peter Lang.ISBN978-3-03911-336-1.
Georg Grote, Hannes Obermair (2017).A Land on the Threshold. South Tyrolean Transformations, 1915–2015. Oxford/Bern/New York: Peter Lang.ISBN978-3-0343-2240-9.
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