| Sterzing | |
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| — Comune — | |
| Stadtgemeinde Sterzing Comune di Vipiteno |
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| The Zwölferturm in Sterzing | |
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Sterzing
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol |
| Province | South Tyrol (BZ) |
| Frazioni | Ried (Novale), Thuins (Tunes), Tschöfs (Ceves) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dr. Fritz Karl Messner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33 km2 (12.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 950 m (3,117 ft) |
| Population (Nov. 2010)[1] | |
| • Total | 6,412 |
| • Density | 194.3/km2 (503.2/sq mi) |
| Demonym | German: Sterzinger Italian: vipitenesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 39049 |
| Dialing code | 0472 |
| Website | Official website |
Sterzing (Italian: Vipiteno) is a comune in South Tyrol in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy. It is the main village of the southern Wipptal, and the Eisack River flows through the medieval town.
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The town traces its roots to 14 B.C., when Nero Claudius Drusus founded a military camp called "Vipitenum" along the road between what are now Italy and Germany. Ancient ruins found nearby include a sepulchral monument dedicated to Postumia Vittorina, a milestone of the Imperator Septimus Severus period and a stone altar dedicated to Lord Mithras. In 550, following an invasion of Bavarii, the town of Sterzing take place, the first mention of a town called Wibitina dates back to the years between 985 and 990. That name, which is still memorized in Wipptal, is traced back to the nearby Celto-Roman settlement *Vibidina. In 1180 the name Sterzengum appears in a document.
In 1280 Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia promote the village to the rank of city. As the region's proximity to Brenner Pass made it a frequent trade route, the Fugger of Augsburg opened a branch to sort the products of the nearby silver mines in Ridnaun Valley and Pfleres Valley. Sterzing knew its magnificence in 15th and 16th centuries after the 1443 fire who destroyed part of the town. New embattled houses were built, some late gothic style, in Neustadt (New Town) as: Town and Regional Trial House (1450), Hotel "Goldenes Kreuz" (1446), Fugger's Branch (1553), Rafenstein House (former Köchl, 1472), the Town Hall (1473), Geizkofler House (1600) and the Mining District House (1500) all still in use.
In the course of the Italianization of South Tyrol, the modern Italian name of the town Vipiteno - created from the old roman settlement of Vipitenum was made official.[2] Throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s a number wanted Nazis stayed in Sterzing at the Hotel Goldenes Kreuz which still exists today. At different times people like Erich Priebke, Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele were in transit here as they waited for forged passports for their journey out of Europe and by ship to South America.
King Henry I, Count of Tyrol granted a seal, similar to the present, depicting a crippled pilgrim with stick and the rosary above the Tyrolean eagle, this appeared as a coat of arms August, 30, 1328. In 1524, the pilgrim is shown as a monk above the Tyrolean eagle. [3]
The Parish is the biggest church between Verona and Munich, was built from 1417 to 1451. The gothic altar, wood-work by Hans Multscher of Ulm , is 12 meter high and was completed in 1458. The church was later enlarged from 1497 to 1525 by Hans Lutz. In 1753 was than modified in baroque style, with paintings by Adam Mőlckh and the gothic altar removed; at present time the altar is showed at the Multscher Museum.
Holy Spirit is the oldest gothic church in town. Built in 1399, in the same main building of the old Hospital, is located in Town Square; the nave is painted in fresco by Giovanni of Bruneck (1402).
The Zwölferturm is a 46 m. high tower erected in 1470, it is the symbol of the city that divides the New Town from Old Town. A fire in 1867 destroyed the original spire, which was replaced with the existing embattled roof.
Built in 1468 - 1472 in late gothic style while, the angular "Erker" was added in 1526. In the patio take place a roman stone altar, dedicated to Lord Mithras and a milestone of the Imperator Septimus Severus; the same period the military road was completed in 200 A.D.
Is the main street in the old city centre with buildings erected, after the 1417 fire, between XIV and XV century when the town was prosperous with the trade and the silver mines in the nearby Ridnaun Valley and Pflersch Valley.
Outside the city is the Reifenstein Castle, one of the best preserved medieval castles in the province.
According to the 2001 census, 75.28% of the population speak German, 24.29% Italian and 0.44% Ladin as first language.[4]
Sterzing is home of the Leitner Group, an international industry, a manufacturer of cable systems, snowgroomer, utility tracked vehicles, systems for urban rail called minimetrò and wind turbines. [5]
