Merano

Merano or (German) Meran is a city and (municipality) in South Tyrol, northern Italy. Generally best known for its spa resorts, it is located within a basin, surrounded by mountains standing up to above sea level, at the entrance to the Passeier Valley and the Vinschgau. The city has been a popular place of residence for several scientists, literary people, and artists, including Franz Kafka, Ezra Pound, Paul Lazarsfeld, and also Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who appreciated its mild climate. Name Both the Italian and the German names for the city are used in English. The Ladin form of the name is . The official name of the municipality (comune) is Comune di Merano in Italian and Stadtgemeinde Meran in German (both are in official use). History Archaic names of the city are Mairania (from 857 AD) and an der Meran (from the 15th century).In 17th-century Latin, the city was called Meranum.