The history of the Meran Kurhaus

From 1840 onwards Meran started considering the construction of a new Kurhaus. In 1873, the project presented by Josef Czerny was approved. The official opening of the present west wing took place on 14 November 1874. During the opening ceremony, the building was festively illuminated by 102 gas lamps. In 1897, the gas illumination system was replaced by electric light. Around the turn of the century, the terrace at the east end was roofed over and the former reading rooms were built. Then there was talk of a general rebuilding programme, which resulted, in 1911, with the Viennese architect Friedrich Ohmann being given the commission. He planned the large Kursaal and the Rotunda, which transformed Meran's Kurhaus into the most beautiful Art Nouveau building in the Alps.
The construction work began in 1913 and the opening ceremony was held on New Year's Eve. The ceiling frescos in the Kursaal are by Rudolf Jettmar, Alexander Rothaug and Horazio Gaigher.

In recent years, the whole building, including the part dating from 1874, was completely renovated and it is now used for concerts, banquets, conferences and congresses, presentations, press conferences, balls etc. 13 rooms, whose equipment meets international standards, offer accommodation for 10 to 1,000 people. In addition, there is a restaurant and a café with home-made cakes and pastries.