Meran (Italian, Merano), a city (1957 pop. 22,000; 2005 pop. 35,119) in the Adige Valley, Italy (formerly Austria), until the beginning of the 15th century the capital of the Tyrol and an important center on the trade route between Germany and Italy over the Jaufen pass through the Passei Valley. In the upper Adige Valley, the Vintschgau, Anabaptists were found in 1527. Cardinal Matthaus Lang of Salzburg notified the authorities of Meran and the villages in the Vintschgau of their presence. Upon the proclamation of Ferdinand's mandate of 24 February 1528 offering pardon to all Anabaptists who would voluntarily report to the authorities, recant, and ask for mercy, a few appeared. In Meran several Anabaptists were brought before the magistrate, but the records do not indicate the outcome of the trial.

In May 1529 Georg Blaurock preached here as he passed through the town on his way to the Eisack Valley to take charge of the congregation there, which had been orphaned by the execution of its preacher Michael Kürschner. His visit did not lead to the establishing of a congregation in Meran.

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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 655. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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