This city district, which developed out of vineyards, has become home of many new inhabitants of Bolzano in the course of the 20th century
Image gallery: Europa - Novacella
The Augustinian monks of the Novacella Abbey close to Bressanone made this marshland cultivable in the 17th century and started cultivating vines. Today a little vineyard close to the Regina Pacis church has remained of the huge winegrowing area. In the surroundings fascist Italy built the “Littorio” district. After liberation, Piazza “Littorio” was renamed “Matteotti”, a murdered anti-fascist activist.
The Teatro Cristallo which was constructed in the 50s, today is the cultural centre of the district and hosts the civic centre. The name “Europa-Novacella” derives from the residential complexes and the Augustinian abbey, owner of the ancient vineyard. Most of the 16,000 inhabitants are Italian mother-tongues, Europa-Novacella is considered to be the heart of the Italian speaking Bolzano.
