Photo: South Tyrol Val Pusteria Town Italy

The town of Bruneck in the Val Pusteria of the South Tyrol region of Italy with the majestic snowcapped Alps in the background.

Bruneck is the main town in the Val Pusteria of the South Tyrol region of Italy and was first recorded in the middle of the 13th century. Bruneck, Italy is the German name for this old town, over 80 per cent of the population speak German, but the Italian people call it Brunico.Bruneck started as two rows of houses back in 1256, but as it was the only town in the Pusteria Valley, the town grew and developed over the years and today it is a prosperous manufacturing and tourist centre. The main street of Brunico in South Tyrol, Italy, the 'Stadtgasse', is one of the best shopping avenues in Northern Italy and the houses date back to the 15th century.The town of Bruneck is divided into two sections by the river Reinza, on one side is the bustling modern town and the other side is the old historic town. Brunico, Italy, survived the Napoleonic wars and World War One, but was badly bombed during the Second World War, with lives lost and buildings gutted. ... continue below the picture...

... After the war, the people of Bruneck rebuilt the town and developed industries, built stores and later, during the 1960s the tourist boom began, and this Val Pusteria town of Bruneck, near the majestic snowcapped Alps in South Tyrol, Italy is now a 'must-see' destination.View over Brunico (Bruneck) backdropped by snowcapped Alps, Italy, South Tirol, Sued Tirol, Europe, Europe 2006.