The Kurhaus is the ceremonial heart of old Merano — a grand, ornate pavilion standing on the embankment of the Passirio River that was built at the height of the town's reputation as an aristocratic health resort. Its main hall, elegant galleries, and riverside position make it architecturally the most distinctive building in the town centre. Today it hosts concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events, and the arcaded promenade alongside the river in both directions is the main walking and shopping street of the town.
The building is best seen in the early evening when it's lit up. The Kurhaus Café inside serves coffee and cakes in a setting that retains much of the original decoration. The Passerpromenade along the river to the north and the covered Winterpromenade to the south both start near here — the two promenades together form a continuous walking route that can be extended for several kilometres in either direction.