The History from 1317 to...

As the seat of the Counts of Tyrol, Merano becomes the capital of Tyrol. Meran was joined with the Steinach settlement under the Ortenstein Castle, with its walls probably started in 1280. The walls were first mentioned in the town charter, which was renewed in 1317. According to Franz-Heinz Hye, the wall's 800 m length was so extraordinary for Tyrol and was only achieved through the secondary inclusion of Steinach and a small settlement to the west. Evidence of inner gates is missing, however..." (Thomas Biller). It was Meinhard II who built the Arcades (Lauben) in the middle of the 13th century for the purpose of connecting Pfarrplatz with Kornplatz. During Meran's time as the capital of Tyrol, the Arcades were the centre for the town's trade and craftsmen. From the 14th century with the construction of Galileistraße, the Arcades were divided into the “Berglauben” and “Wasserlauben”.