Merano, Italy

Merano is a spa town surrounded by Alpine peaks in the beautiful region of South Tyrol. The spa industry began to develop here in the mid-nineteenth century, mainly due to the favourable climate and the convenient location near Bolzano.
Princess Mathilde von Schwarzenberg was the first international guest here, but it was not until the repeated stays of Empress Sissi and her daughters in the winters of 1870 and 1872 that Merano became the most famous and sought-after spa town in Europe. Today, Merano has a rich cultural life and a lively tourist trade.

In the summer there are beautiful walks along the blossoming promenade and streets full of cafes, in the winter of course winter sports dominate, especially skiing. Like Pardubice, Merano is also home to the famous horse races, where Czech horses and riders have been very successful in recent years. Every year, the Pardubice Day is held at the local racetrack with a rich presentation and tasting, during which a race for the Pardubice Grand Prix is run. The partnership agreement between the cities was signed twice - the Italian version in 2000, the Czech one a year later.