Frescoes

1896 The laying of the foundation stone
In March 1896, Josef Zwick had the Villa Freiheim in
Pameracker, today's Parinistraße. The elegant architecture and the
idyllic location made it a desirable place to live.

1903 A new home for Otto on the Lan von Hochbrunn
On October 31, the villa became the private residence of Otto and Franziska an der Lan von Hochbrunn. Otto an der Lan, a pioneer of Haflinger horse breeding, was a co-founder of the "Società sportiva e di corse - Südtirol," which played a key role in the construction of the Merano racecourse around 1900 – a significant institution in the city to this day and the largest and most beautiful racecourse in Europe.

1929 Villa Freiheim becomes a summer residence
In 1929, the villa became the property of Elisabeth an der Lan von Hochbrunn, who had grown up there. After her marriage, she regularly returned to Merano and used Villa Freiheim as her summer residence.

1940- 1943 The war years and a forced sale
During the Second World War, the villa passed to the "Ente per le Tre Venezie" in 1940. The property was resold in 1942 – the new owner was Giovanni (Johann) Weger, a wine merchant from the South Tyrolean lowlands.

1945- 1959 A new owner
After the war, the entrepreneur and master baker Johann Noggler took over the property. In 1959, an apartment building was built in the adjacent vineyard – Villa Elisabeth, the later annex.

1976-2024 From Garni to 3-star hotel
In 1976, Johann Noggler handed over the villa to his daughter Annalies, who reopened it a year later after extensive renovations as a small, family-run guesthouse. Over the years, the house grew into a popular 3-star hotel offering a high level of comfort, a swimming pool, and a spa area. It was managed jointly with the associated Villa Elisabeth residence.

2024 A new chapter begins
At the beginning of 2024, the Hotel Villa Freiheim was transferred to her daughter Ulrike Nagler, while the newly designed Alpimena apartments passed into the hands of her sister Sigrid. Today, the hotel is run with heart and passion by the Nagler family and thus remains a place of genuine hospitality.

2025 3-star superior
With continuous development and high standards of quality and service, the Hotel Villa Freiheim achieved another significant distinction in 2025: 3-star superior status. This recognition reflects the excellent hospitality, the sophisticated ambience, and the special feel-good experience that guests can enjoy here. With great attention to detail and innovative ideas, the Villa Freiheim remains true to its claim to combine tradition with modern comfort.