Meltina (Mölten in German) is a picturesque town in the province of Bolzano, located on the beautiful plateau of Montezoccolo; which can be reached through the scenic route of Terlano and by the cable car that departs from Vilpiano.
The name is of probable Latin origins from "maletum", or "meleto" (apple orchard) and was documented for the first time in 923.
Situated in a panoramic position in Val d'Adige, it is the ideal place for hiking and trekking lovers, combined to good food, as there are several local farms scattered along the green slopes.
Already populated by the Celts, the area was later colonized by the Romans, Franks and Lombards. Recent archaeological finds from the Bronze Age evidence the presence of settlements since Prehistoric times.
Sites of Interest:
- the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, of ancient origins, in the XV century was renovated in Gothic style, followed, in the XVII century, by changes in the Renaissance style. Interesting are the works of art on display inside, including "The Coronation of Mary", on the high altar, and a Gothic altarpiece in a side chapel, coming from the Art school of Michael Pacher;
- the Church of St. Anne, with a fine wooden Baroque altar and a XV century statue group of the Pietà in majolica;
- the Church of Saint Valentine, built in Gothic style in 1769, to replace an older one, whose ruins are still visible near Bosco Valtes;
- the Church of St. Ulrich, remodeled in the XIX century;
- the Church of San Blas, embellished by Gothic and Romanesque style elements, inside preserves an interesting fresco in Baroque style;
- the Romanesque Church of St. Jacob;
- the Church of St. George;
- the "Men of stone" (Stoan Manndlen), hundreds of statues, made of stones placed, one upon the other, similar to an inverted cone and scattered along the hill side;
- the Geological Museum.