Museums in South Tyrol at a glance

holy grave open to Easter the holy grave ist  uniquely in South Tyrol

The small but fine School Museum at Tagusens shows visitors and interested people the life of the pupils between the years 1933 and 1993 and is a unique collection of furnishings and teaching documents that have been preserved on site.

The school life in Tagusens did not mean an encounter with the "foreign" world for the "ABC-Shooters". The children in the lonely place knew each other, only the teacher changed year after year. Furnishings and teaching objects were less worn than elsewhere and thus remained intact. Nostalgic feelings and memories are certainly not absent here and seduce to a bygone era.

On the first floor of the school museum can be visited, the old shoe factory from the `50s, of the master shoemaker "Peterlunger Gustl" from Siusi allo Sciliar.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

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 information center for the nature park Rieserferner-Ahrn/Vedrette di Ries-Aurina is located at the public parking lot in Kasern/Casere at the the end of the Ahrntal valley in a simple but modern wooden building.

On the ground floor there is an exhibit concerning the crafts and agriculture of the farther reaches of the Ahrntal valley. You will also find here information concerning the nature parks of South Tyrol. A relief provides an overview of the landscape and the view of the valley’s far end will surely make you want to hike there. The exhibition in the center’s basement provides exciting interactive insight into the fascinating world of the farthest reaches of the Ahrntal valleyl.

A documentary titled "Prettauer Leben-Vivere a Predoi-Life in Prettau/Predoi" features village residents talking about their lives. Four cross-border paths, which form the heart of the exhibit, provide information concerning the diversity of nature in the region and the region’s history. In the projection room, visitors can view an impressive short film about nature park Rieserferner-Ahrn/Vedrette di Ries-Aurina.

A real paradise for fans of the Habsburg Monarchy with a fantastic collection of antiques and other interesting items! Bad Egart is South Tyrol’s oldest spa watering place. The health-giving waters here were first mentioned in 1430 but it is believed that water cures have been popular here since Roman times. Visitors today can see some of the medicinal springs, various wood-panelled rooms which house the rich Habsburg collection, a complete Biedermeier-style kitchen and various other folklore items and antiques.

Special Exhibition Sisi & Franz:
The special exhibition is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph I. Franz Joseph, who ruled the Habsburg monarchy for over 68 years, and his wife Elisabeth, known as Sisi, were popular figures of their time. The couple embodied the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. Sisi, marked by contradictions and a life away from the strict court ceremonial, became a cult figure. The exhibition sheds light on their lives through over 4,000 exhibits and invites you to discover the myth of this imperial couple.

PRICES 2024

• adults € 12,50
• family ticket (2 adults with children up to 18 years) € 29,50
• reduced admission (restaurant guests, groups of 15 or more, disabled persons, seniors (aged 65+)) € 11,50
• scolars € 6,50

The visit of the chapel is free.

The museum houses old skiing apparel and ski equipment from different eras. It is located in Kastelruth and is open upon request at the Tourist Office. The museum provides an insight into the evolution of ski equipment, presenting objects from different times. Historical items are displayed, including skis, poles, shoes, ski gloves, helmets, etc.

The Nature Park Visitor Center of Villnöss brings visitors closer to nature and is the perfect place to dwell on. A walkable aerial photo gives visitors a bird‘s eye perspective of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park. The exhibition area “Touch the mountains” focuses on the key topic - the geology of the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park has been designated the “Dolomites site office” because it is home to all of the rock types, deposits and weathering that are typically found in the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park in the Dolomites is estendet on a area of the 3 valleys: Gadertal valley, Gröden valley and Villnöss valley.  The “Nature’s treasure trove” on the second floor contains plenty to discover: animal fur, bird’s eggs, feathers, footprints, droppings, teeth, antlers, medicinal herbs … all of which - and much more - is on display and can be touched! The “Conquering Mountains” room is primarily dedicated to alpinism. The world’s probably most famous alpinist, Reinhold Messner, comes from Villnöss. He talks about his experiences in the mountains in a short film. The “Puez-Geisler Nature Park film” is also shown daily in the mountain cinema. Leave your stress at home, discover the world of the mountains, and feel like a hunter in the woods.

The particular homey character of the feudal Taufers Castle astonishes around 70,000 visitors every year. 

As early as 1136 a noble-free family is named Taufers. In the 1220's the family built a new, generously arranged lord house, whose donjon with an attached living tower is constructed against the mountainside, as this was thought to be the possible attacking side. The powerful Taufers Castle is a dynastic seat of the Barons of Taufers with impressive and interesting fortified grounds.

Another great hall (later used as grain storage room) is located at a secured area in the western part of the castle. The naturally given construction space is delimited by a surrounding curtain wall, where there are different living complexes, attached to it.

In the 15th and 16th centuries the grounds were renovated into an expansive castle residence, most of them built in the early 16th century. The impressive weir system, although, dates back to the 15th century.

Taufers Castle has been in the possession of the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut since 1977. The entire furnished and well preserved castle numbers among the greatest and most beautiful castles of the entire Tyrolean region.

Prices:
Adults:
10€
13€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Students/Pensioners (over 65 years old):
7€
9€/Person (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Children (6-16 years old):
5€
6€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

With Guest Pass Museum -50% off admission.

All information without guaranteeOur new exhibition will open on 29 March and we are delighted to present the theme of this year's exhibition to you: Silent Forces of Everyday Life - Folk Belief! The exhibition will be on display at our castle until 3 November.

Permanent exhibition of paintings by R. Mussner c/o Stüa dal Te Raetia. The works are also for sale.

The route through the rock tunnel at Mt. Lagazuoi is accessible from the top station of the cable car Lagazuoi with only 10 minutes walk on an easy well signposted path.

In 1996 the main tunnel in the rock (about 3 km long) as well as the side tunnels were restored and rebuilt at their original length. The restoration was possible thanks to the cooperation of the Italian and Austrian military corps.

In the side tunnels you can see utensils and weapons from the First World War and information panels which illustrate the events of the war.

At the base station of the Lagazuoi cable car you can rent tape recorders with English commentary.

archeoParc Schnalstal Valley - Get in touch with the world of the Iceman. South Tyrol's first hands-on archaeology museum is distinguished by its unconventional architecture. In terms of construction, form and material, the low-energy museum building is a homage to the Neolithic originals that archaeology has unearthed, and covers an imaginary vista sweeping through Tisental up to Tisenjoch. Depicted along the way are topics ranging from the oldest human traces in the alpine region to the Iceman and his lifestyle and economic adaptation. Life-size house models based on the archaeological evidence convey an idea of how our forebears lived.

Prösels Castle was built in 1200 by the masters of Völs, the noble servers of the bishop of Brixen. In the early 16th century, the head of the provincial government, Leonhard von Völs, turned the castle into a Renaissance residence. The castle as it looks today is almost entirely the work of Leonhard von Völs. In the year 1981, the company KURATORIUM SCHLOSS PRÖSELS Ltd. purchased the castle.

Discover the Rittersaal, the Pfeilersaal, Kaminzimmer ,the Castle chapel and many other rooms in the Renaissance castle on a guided tour. Special programmes are available for school groups and families.

In summer, Prösels Castle hosts numerous concerts in the castle courtyard or on the castle lawn and, in case of bad weather, in the Knights' Hall.

Castle Tours: From 1 May to 31 October Prösels Castle is open to visitors who must be part of a guided tour. Closed Saturdays.

From January 11th to March 28st 2024every Thursday at 3.00pm a guided castle tour takes place. After the guided tour a cup of "Apfelglühmix", a mulled local apple juice, will be served. Reservations within 12 pm of the respective date in the information offices or info@schloss-proesels.it

German and Italian speaking visitors are taken by a guide, for all other visitors guided audio tours are offered in English.

• May- 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m.
• June - 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m.
• July - 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 1.00 p.m. | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. | 4.00 p.m.
• August - 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 1.00 p.m. | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m. | 4.00 p.m.
• September - 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m.
• October - 11.00 a.m. | 12.00 noon | 2.00 p.m. | 3.00 p.m.

Fees:

• Adults 10,00€
• Children (6-14 years) 6,00€
• Groups (per person) 7,00€

The Mineral Museum is the private collection of Markus Klement (*10 April 1963, Brixen). With over 1,500 specimens on display from 50 different countries, it is one of the largest collections of such kind in the European Alps.

The "Jaufenburg" above St. Leonhard was built in the 13th and 14th Century by the men of the Passeiertal Valley and was once a magnificent castle. As well as many picture presentation boards about the history of the castle, you can also visit the court house, shield farms, wall frescoes from 1538, listen to an audio recording of legends and enjoy the unique view.

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.

Historic, little Church St. Prokulus, just outside the village of Naturns, is well-known for its wonderful Medieval frescos and has even more to offer now that a museum about its history opened in Spring 2006.The museum, housed under-ground a mere short walk from the church itself,  multi-media trip back into the past.

The ticket is available at the museum. Free admission with the museumobil Card and the Museumcard. We offer tablets to guide you trough the museum trail in English.

Opening hours 2024: 19.03. - 31.10.

every tuesday, thursday and sunday
10.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 17.30

Closed: 01.04.2024, 01.05.2024 and 20.05.2024

At several stops along the Timmelsjochstraße street there are five architectural sculptures dedicated to the nature, history, culture, society and economics of the region.

It is possible to experience these from early June to late October.

The discovery of the prehistoric wooden scoops and ladles at Schöllberg-Göge in the Weissenbach valley at 2,197 m above sea level was an archeological sensation. The objects were made for single use, for each votive pyre and then thrown into the bog. 
Since October 2015 "Scoops for the Gods" are on display in a specially designed exhibition room in the Pfisterhaus in Steinhaus/Ahrntal valley. 

Free admission.

Further information

© Office of Archaeology, Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano

In the Infopoint Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Zans is shown the long history of the unique Dolomites in a time lapse.

The rocks, once in the seabed, are now building peaks and are sloping, bent or folded. This is reflected in the architectural concept of the Infopoint.

Entering the museum, a film shot from eagle‘s-eye-view provides you with an unusual impression of the park. A 3D relief provides visitors with multimedia information concerning the park’s mountains, trails, refuges, lakes and waterfalls. A pendulum gives visitors a close-up look at how the mountains arose, while a kind of stone puzzle provides insight into the geological structure of the mountains. Visitor information systems give information concerning nature, the landscape and the evolution of the nature park region. And for kids there are fairy tales and legends from times past.

Entrance free!

Special exhibition: 02.05. - 31.10.2024
The red deer - an endurance animal with fine senses

This incredible collection covers some 1,000 sq.mt. and extends over three floors. Older and younger visitors marvel at the model engines and coaches and can take turns driving some of them themselves. The nearby South Tyrol in Miniature Landscapes Museum is also a real hit. The railway museum, with over 20.000 exhibits, is one of Europe’s largest private model railway collections.

ENTRY PRICES 2023

12,00 € adults
8,50 € children (3 to 14 years) 
5,50 € school classes
8,50 € reduction for students, people with disabilities, senior citizens aged 65 and over, groups of 15 or more

24,00 € family ticket (2 adults + 1 child up to 18 years)      
28,00 € Family Card Plus (2 adults + max. 3 children up to 18 years)      

Children under 3 years free

Guided tours by reservation! For larger groups and school classes, different opening times are possible after prior registration. Please contact the train world museum.

Closed in winter.

This Orthodox Church was built to the design of a local architect, Tobias Brenner. It contains a collection of magazines, books and photographs testifies to the golden years of the community in Merano. 

At the tractor museum, 30 Porsche Diesels from various model years can be examined. An experience for young and old alike!

Every first Friday of the month from March to November at 3 pm there is a free tour (further tours available on request). Free admission, closed on Mondays.

The museum at the Sandhof, the place of birth of Andreas Hofer is telling vividly and enjoyable how the bearded innkeeper and cattle trader became the Tyrolean hero. The constant exhibition "Helden & Wir" is drawing a line to the heroes of today. In the outdoor area there is a "Haufenhof" (heap yard) which is typical for the Passeier. The exhibition "Miër Psairer" offers a quick introduction into the dialect of the valley and the character of the people here.

A new free audio-guide (only in German) presents a fictitious tale about the Baroque Passeirer school of painting.

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. 

Brunnenburg Castle stands on a glacial debris cone between Dorf Tirol/Tirolo and Tyrol Castle. This truly unique-looking castle complex is said to be named after a nearby spring. The fortifications date from between 1241 and 1253. The remains of these fortifications also formed the basis of the restoration of the building. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Brunnenburg was restored in a very unusual manner. Today it is a cultural center and home of the South Tyrolean Agricultural museum.

The last original, preserved and still functioning water crane in South Tyrol dating from the Austro-Hungarian era is located at the Bad Egart Imperial and Royal Museum (K.u.K. Museum Bad Egart) in Töll/Tel. The water tower was built in 1910 and the accompanying water crane was installed at the same time. Water cranes were used in the 19th century to supply steam locomotives with large amounts of water.

The museum acquired the water crane at the historic railway station in Töll from the Italian Ferrovie dello Stato railway company in the 1980s. It was recently extensively renovated, along with the accompanying water tower, by the provincial authorities in Bozen/Bolzano. The water crane is four meters high and consists of a cast-iron, freestanding vertical pipe with Art Nouveau ornamentation and a rotating arm which can be laterally swung over the track. It weighs 2000 kilograms. An 80-centimeter-tall lamp is attached to the top of the crane, which was powered by gas. In future, this will be mounted again on the water tower. There is a tank made of iron on the upper floor of the water tower, into which the water was pumped from the water reserves adjacent to the site. The amount of water required and the required water pressure could be controlled by means of the water tower and the on-site tank.

In the 19th century, similar water supply systems were located approximately every 25 to 30 km along the railway line and at shorter distances in the low mountains.