The many
religious sites and
churches testify to the special history of Merano/Meran as the spa town of choice of the European aristocracy in the 19th century. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city lent itself to a wide variety of faiths. In contrast to the rest of Tyrol, Merano already had at that time, besides many Catholic churches, a
Protestant and an
Orthodox church and a
synagogue. For many years, a
Buddhist center and an
Islamic masjic (a prayer room) could also be found in Merano.
The style of the many religious buildings and churches in Merano range from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century, and reflect changing eras and architectural styles, including an ancient Romanesque three-apse church and a Gothic parish church. These sites are still used, and can be visited individually or as part of a
guided tour.