Přehled muzeí v Jižním Tyrolsku

The mountain mine in Villanders was one of the most important mining areas in Tyrol during the Middle Ages and is now one of the few mines in South Tyrol that is open to the public as a visitors ‘attraction. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels and immerse yourself in the fascinating mining history of Villanders, which goes back centuries.
The Villanders mine had a total of 16 tunnels covering an area of about 20 km, two-thirds of which were dug by hand and one-third with the use of explosives (black powder).
The extracted materials were: silver, lead (galena), copper and blende. The advancement of a miner, between 8 and 12 m per year, was performed mainly on his knees or supine. At the discovery of a mineral deposit of greater size it was necessary to enlarge the tunnel for the transport of minerals and waste rock. The average life of a miner was between 35 and 40 years.

Opening hours:

TUNNEL ELISABETH
Guided tour
- Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Sunday at 10:30
- Meeting point at the tunnel Elisabeth
- Duration: approx. 1,5 h

ELISABETH AND LORENZ TUNNELS
Guided tours
- in July & August on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
- Meeting point at the tunnel Elisabeth
- Duration: approx. 2,5 h
- In the months of July and August there is also a guidance on Wednesday at 10:30.

More information about the Silver Mine: https://bergwerk.it/

As South Tyrol's traditional and largest fruit producing municipality, Lana is the ideal location for the collection and display of information regarding the history of fruit-growing Thus the South Tyrolean fruit-growing museum gives an interesting overview on the fruit-growing aspects of agricultural life.

As South Tyrol's traditional and largest fruit producing municipality, Lana is the ideal location for the collection and display of information regarding the history of fruit-growing Thus the South Tyrolean fruit-growing museum gives an interesting overview on the fruit-growing aspects of agricultural life.

The „Apple Museum" is located in the medieval mansion Larchgut and offers approximately 1,000 square metres of exhibition space where you can find a host of information about this aspect of South Tyrolean cultural history.

The Larchgut Mansion's medieval keep was mentioned for the first time in writing in the year 1301 and it is now a listed building. Since fruit-growing followed winegrowing and crop production, the oldest items on display relate to these topics. Among others you can see the oldest wine press in South Tyrol from the year 1570.

The reclamation of the marshlands of the Adige Valley in the 19th and 20th centuries was the basis for the boom in fruit-growing. The evolution of agriculture, rural customs and every day life of the 19th century are documented through many original tools and objects. In the barn of the estate you can also see antique means of transport, tools and machines that give you an idea of the hardships of a farmers life in the past.

Capriz Cheese Museum & Show Dairy in Vintl – A World of Discovery for the Whole Family

Discover the interactive Cheese Museum of the Capriz Artisan Dairy in Vintl, located in the Puster Valley.

On more than 400 m² of exhibition space, visitors can experience the fascinating world of cheesemaking up close.

The museum showcases:

• The entire production process from South Tyrolean alpine milk to finished cheese
• Interactive stations on the history of dairy farming in South Tyrol
• Live insights into the glass-walled show dairy with daily cheese production
• Multimedia presentations on traditional and modern cheesemaking
• Child-friendly activity stations focused on goat’s and cow’s milk

Special highlights:

• Guided museum tours with a master cheesemaker (daily at 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00)
• Cheese workshops: make your own soft cheese
• Tasting room with 6 Capriz cheese specialities
• Panoramic terrace overlooking the Puster Valley mountains
• Barrier-free access to all museum areas
• Shop offering over 30 regional cheeses and South Tyrolean delicacies

Here, through information and fun, nature becomes perceptible, tangible and accessible. Here are available information on the Natural Parks of the Pusteria valley and the formation of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage. On the first floor you can visit the temporary exhibitions. Free admission!                         

Juval Castle, the summer residence of the world-famous mountaineer, Reinhold Messner and the Messner Mountain Museum.

Medieval Juval Castle is situated on a prehistoric place of worship at the entrance to the pristine Val Senales. The castle was built around 1278 by Hugo von Montalban. In 1540, Juval Castle changed ownership and reached its heyday in those years. In 1913, the Dutch Colonial William Rowland turned up at the dilapidated castle and had it professionally restored. Since 1983 Juval Castle has been the residence of extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner and has turned Juval Castle into the main site of the MMM Messner Mountain Museum. The castle contains an extensive Tibetan collection as well as the Mountain Gallery and the ethnic mask collection with exhibits from five continents. Juval Castle also boasts some Renaissance-era frescoes that can be visited. Alpine fauna can sometimes be spotted wandering about in the castle grounds and there is also a farm with its own vineyards and a winery. The attached winery Unterortl, the organic farm Oberortl, and the Schlosswirt revitalize these small-scale cultural landscape in Lower Venosta Valley.

In Eppan | Piganò, above Castel Gandegg, you find near Castel Englar the residence Moos Schulthaus. A little bit hidden, how it is usual for an insider tip, you can find a nice little museum for Middle Aged living.

Around the middle of the 13th century the dynasty of the Rottenburger built a Romanesque residential tower above the location Pigenò. Around the 14th century it was transformed and extended into a gothic residence for hunting. After the extinction of the Rottenburg in 1410, the complex ended up in the hands of the princes and later on to the Lords of Firmian and around 1500 to the Earl Spaur who expanded it even more. Until the middle of the 19th century it remained in the hands of the aristocrats of Schulthaus. With this intense change of property and the related architectural procedures caused a special fusion of connected elements, interlaced and on different levels situated premises and last but not least style characteristics of different époques. In 1958 Walther Amonn, merchant of Bozen and patron, bought the complex and had it costly restored and opened it for the public in 1985.

Well worth seeing are especially the frescos of the premises, which are a unique example of gothic mural art and give an insight in the life and philosophy of that time.

For the exploration of this historical valuable area around Castel Moss-Schulthaus, with the castles Englar and Gandegg together with the residences of Pigenò, we suggest the marked hiking and biking trails.

At Kaserbach, where hydroelectric power was once used, lies the former artisan zone that characterized village life back then. Our path leads past the smithy, the knitter mill and the old sawmill. At that time, the grain of the Lüsner farmers was ground in the mill. The "Stricker mill", whose historical roots reach back to the year 1645, has remained true to its original function until today.

Since 2011 the Schluderns Gate Tower in Glurns hosts a permanent exhibition concerning the history of this little medieval town, such as trade, customs, daily life and curiosities.

The Palais Mamming Museum, also known as the Merano Municipal Museum, stands as one of South Tyrol's oldest and most distinguished cultural institutions. Founded in 1900, it has been housed since 2015 in a beautifully restored Baroque palace on Pfarrplatz square.
Originally constructed in 1675 for the Freiherren von Mamming, the building is a striking fusion of historic architecture and contemporary design, offering an inspiring backdrop for the museum's rich and varied collection.
With over 100,000 objects and a Tyrolensia collection of 30,000 volumes, the museum offers an unparalleled journey through the history of Merano and the entire Tyrol region. The permanent exhibition unfolds across 27 thematic sections, guiding visitors through the epochs – from prehistory to the Middle Ages, Baroque art, and the rise of modernity.
Highlights:
 An Egyptian mummy, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of ancient burial rituals.
 A collection of Sudanese weapons from the estate of Slatin Pasha, an Austrian officer who made Merano his home.
 The renowned "Meran" typewriter by Peter Mitterhofer, a key figure in the invention of the typewriter.
 Napoleon's death mask, an impressive relic from the Napoleonic era.
Beyond these extraordinary historical artifacts, the museum also showcases works by prominent artists such as Friedrich Wasmann and Leo Putz, capturing the artistic evolution of the region. The collection is further enriched by minerals, fossils, and photographs, offering a comprehensive view of the region’s diverse cultural and natural heritage.
The Palais Mamming Museum is more than just a repository of history – it is a thriving cultural hub. It regularly hosts vernissages, readings, and various cultural events, making it a dynamic space for creativity and reflection.
For anyone with a passion for history, art, and culture, a visit to the Palais Mamming Museum is an absolute must. It not only offers profound insights into the past of Merano and South Tyrol but also invites visitors to discover the intricate connections between history and contemporary culture.
Entrance fees
adults € 6,00
reduced (seniors) € 5,00
Combi Ticket Palais Mamming Museum + The Prince´s Castle € 8,00
free admission for children

What nowadays functions on electricity, once upon a time was driven by watercraft. How this was made, and other interesting things about different handicrafts, you can experience in our mill museum. July–August every saturday with guide to the mills Meeting place: Aldino, 9 a.m.

Fascinating water: learn more about water - about the power, the secrets and the magic.
During your visit, you bring water with your own energy to jump. Taste the gemstone water and learn how the water came to earth, etc.

The museum can be visited at any time on request for groups of 10 people or more. Also in winter.

Amidst palm trees and promenades, in the heart of Merano, lies a place that brings to life a nearly forgotten chapter of the city’s history: the Jewish Museum and Synagogue. Housed in an elegant Art Nouveau building from 1901, this cultural landmark preserves the memory of a small yet influential Jewish community – one that helped shape Merano’s golden age. When Empress Elisabeth of Austria chose Merano as her spa retreat, the city soon attracted not only aristocrats and artists but also prominent Jewish families from Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. They brought economic vitality, built elegant villas, hotels, and sanatoriums, and became important patrons of art, science, and culture. Many ran thriving businesses tied to the spa industry. The Jewish contribution to Merano’s development is still visible today – for those who look closely, traces remain throughout the city, including at the Jewish cemetery. At the center of this rich legacy stands the Synagogue on Schillerstraße street, still an active house of worship and home to the museum’s moving permanent exhibition. Here, visitors can explore the lives of Jewish families in Merano – their beginnings, achievements, and daily routines, but also the painful chapters of persecution during the Nazi era, the devastation of the community, and the difficult rebuilding after World War II. A special highlight of the Jewish Museum is its collection of original ritual objects: Torah scrolls, Kiddush cups, and Chanukah menorahs offer a deeply personal glimpse into the religious and social traditions  photographs, and first-hand accounts make the past tangible in profoundly human terms. The Synagogue also houses one of the few remaining Art Nouveau Torah arks in the world – an architectural rarity of exceptional beauty. For those who pause and listen, the museum speaks in quiet, intimate tones: of people who once strolled along the Passer River, stayed in refined spa hotels, and helped shape Merano’s cultural life. And of those who, even in the face of adversity, preserved their faith, their stories, and their community.
Today, the Jewish Museum is not only a place of remembrance – it is a space of dialogue and cultural exchange. Alongside guided tours, it hosts regular events that bridge the past and the present, inviting reflection and connection. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Merano, this quiet and remarkable place is a must. Tucked between the Passer Promenade and the Kurhaus, it reveals a chapter of history as moving as it is essential.

The former mountaineers hostel next to the Hotel Post at the foot of the Ortler, also known as the 'Flea house', is now the site of a museum of Alpine sports curiosities, created by the top mountaineer Reinhold Messner. A collection of thirteen legendary mountaineering tales, ranging from Yogi Milarepa to Reinhold Messner himself, provides an informal history of Alpine sports.

Discover at the Vuseum – the Vinschgau Museum – the versatility of this unique valley with its long history, and then take a hike to the prehistoric settlement of Ganglegg or along the old watercourses Leitenwaal and Berkwaal.

Experience the Vinschgau Valley …
The various film presentations and the walk along the water channels to the prehistoric site "Ganglegg" – well signposted – make the visit eventful. Additionally, the exhibitions in the museum change regularly.

… Understand the Vinschgau Valley
The exhibitions help visitors understand why the Vinschgau Valley is the way it is today and how the inhabitants, the “Vinschger,” have learned to cope with the harsh local conditions over millennia.

Ancient Vinschgau: The archaeological site near Ganglegg hill is an extraordinary testimony to the historical development of settlements in the Vinschgau Valley from the Neolithic period to the Roman era. The exhibition presents exceptional artifacts depicting the life, culture, religion, and craftsmanship of that time.

Travel and Stops in Roman Times: The permanent exhibition presents a series of unique finds along the Via Claudia Augusta in the Upper Vinschgau Valley, demonstrating the importance of the valley as a transit area.

Water Channels – Water for Irrigation: Vinschgau Valley is one of the driest valleys in the Alps. Concern for water has accompanied its inhabitants since time immemorial. Together, they built the “Waale” (traditional irrigation channels) with simple means and regulated the distribution of water by local statutes.
Today, much has been replaced by modern technology, but in some places the Waale system remains intact. In 2023, the Waale on the Mals Heath were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Swabian Children: Starting from the 17th century, poverty in the Vinschgau Valley forced parents to send their children on a very exhausting walk to Upper Swabia to find accommodation and work there. The exhibition traces the paths of the “Schwabenkinder” (Swabian children) and tells their story: from a simple life in the Vinschgau Valley to the hard daily life in a foreign land.

Travellers – “The Korrner”: Jenische, Dörcher, and Korrner were driven by hardship to distant regions. In the Vinschgau Valley, those who travelled with a cart and mostly worked as itinerant traders were called “Korrner.” They were typically registered in their home municipalities as fruit, vegetable, or livestock dealers. We distinguish between those who made their living this way and those who did so only seasonally or as a supplementary income.

Avelignese Stallion 249 Folie – The breeding of Avelignese horses in the Vinschgau Valley: In 1874, the stallion 249 Folie was born in the stables of Josef Folie and his wife Anna Fritz. Today, all purebred Avelignese horses descend from him. The documentary exhibition tells the story of Folie and his descendants in the Vinschgau Valley.

The South Tyrolean traditional costumes are renowned for their beauty. It is interesting that almost every village and town has its own costume. These pieces of clothing are worn at every festive occasion, such as religious festivities or at processions. During the time of Charles the Great, it was not permitted for farming folk to wear expensive clothing. People of the lower ranks of society were not allowed to wear more than a Loden jacket. The farmers had to wear clothes made of materials they could produce themselves. Expensive fabrics such as silk and brocade were reserved for the richer people in society. Only when Empress Maria Theresia came to power, was this law amended so that the population could wear traditional costumes of any style. This resulted in a variety of traditional costumes that are still used to this day.
Kastelruth costumes for men: Men wear a shirt, cardigan and jacket with trousers and costume shoes. Their hat is decorated with a carnation and some leaves. The top button of the cardigan and jacketremain open.

Kastelruth costumes for women: Women wear a long black skirt and a black velvet corset. During the winter, they also wear a black small cape and during the summer a white jacket. On top of these, there is a silver or coloured shawl with long fringes. With the jacket, they need to wear a blue apron and with the small cape a black, water-silk apron. In addition, they wear fashionable ribbons that look well with their shawl. Married women wear their hair up, with a silver hairpin and a type of stylish comb, which helps to keep their hair in a knot. Unmarried women wear pigtails that are arranged in a type of Gretl hair style and incorporate this with a black velvet ribbon.

The St. Johann Benedictine convent of Müstair Valley across the border in Switzerland is a well-preserved monastery complex that dates back to the Carolingian period. Here, Benedictine everyday life, cultural cultivation, art and research meet. Legend has it that none other than Charlemagne laid the foundation stone for the monastery. Immediately after his coronation, Charlemagne was caught in a snowstorm on the Umbrail Pass. Out of gratitude for having survived this, he founded the monastery in Müstair in 775. 
St. Johann Monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. 

More information, guided tours and opening hours of the monastery church at: www.muestair.ch

Paul Flora, graphic artist and illustrator from Glurns, drew cartoons for Die Zeit for about 25 years. His life centred around Innsbruck, but Glurns always remained a point of reference for him. Thus it was his wish to be buried here in 2009. There is a permanent Paul Flora exhibition in the church gate tower.

Down the road of the kid park in Niederolang (Via Rienza) up to Mühlbach the are big stone with their signs that are about the thema of stones.

Further information

© Office of Archaeology, Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano

Where once cable car gondolas arrived, a new chapter begins: the Reinhold Messner Haus is an impressive example of how the future can grow from what already exists. The former mountain station on Monte Elmo was not demolished, but upcycled - transformed into a visionary centre for sustainability, environmental awareness, art and culture.

This is where people, ideas and horizons meet. The Reinhold Messner Haus is more than just an exhibition. It is an invitation - to pause, to think, to engage in dialogue. Between old wooden beams and contemporary architecture, a lively place is created where past and future join hands. A house that not only tells the story of Messner's life, but also prompts our own reflections on responsibility and change. A place of quiet grandeur - the Reinhold Messner Haus on Monte Elmo. 

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Vinschgau Valley, Bunker23 in Tartsch holds a fascinating history beneath its surface. What appears from the outside to be an unassuming relic of the past was once a strategically important part of the so-called "Alpine Wall"—an extensive military defense system.

Today, this former shelter has been transformed into a unique meeting place. Bunker23 serves as a cultural space that unites art, history, and memory. Regular exhibitions, guided tours, and events take place in its cool corridors, immersing visitors in a truly special atmosphere.

The Visitor Centre ‘naturatrafoi’ of the Stelvio National Park is situated in Trafoi at the Stelvio Pass road.

The exhibition offers interesting insight into the geology of the Ortler group and the survival and adjustment of flora and fauna to the extreme climate conditions in the high mountain region.
 Impressive photo panels, an exhibition cinema, as well as rocks and furs introduce visitors to the ‘Life on the Edge’. For little visitors, we have prepared some games, fairy-tale listening stations, as well as a stone puzzle for ‘active understanding’. 

There is free access to the information area on the ground floor. The admission fee for the exhibition area is €3.00 per person.

The Pass Museum on the North Tyrolean side juts out like an erratic boulder into the South Tyrolean side, underlining the cross-border nature of the Timmelsjoch Experience. The "Ice Cave" inside the museum pays tribute to the pioneers of the High Alpine Road and their remarkable accomplishment.

Discover all about: the history of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, the name Timmelsjoch, a brooch dating back to the pre-Christian era.

Free admission

Opening hours: end of May until the end of October (when the Timmelsjoch road is open to traffic) · daily 7 am-8 pm

The Municipal Gallery is located in the former Dominican monastery and extends over two floors. The Municipal Departement of culture of Bolzano/Bozen organises regional and inter-regional exhibitions on art and cultural topics.

Water is the main theme at the visitor center aquaprad.  After entering the facility, visitors can hear and see water.  About 30 local fish species can be seen in fourteen spectacular tanks.  In an impressive manner, visitors will receive insight into the local fish fauna – from mountain streams to rivers, from high mountain lakes to the floodplain. 

The Bunker
A Cold War Relic in South Tyrol
Built between 1938 and 1942 as part of the Toblach defense line, the bunker was only activated in the 1950s under NATO’s defense plans against the Warsaw Pact. It was never used in combat, but espionage was widespread. Abandoned in 1993 and later privatized, it has housed the BunkerMuseum since 2017.

The museum is located in Hotel Mondschein in the centre of Sesto. It was realised by Mr. Stabinger with a lot of love for detail.