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Home of Ötzi the Iceman

In the heart of Bolzano/Bozen's old town, at the start of the pedestrian zone, stands the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, one of the most visited museums in the Alps. Housed in a former bank building dating from 1912, this South Tyrol museum is world-famous for a single, extraordinary exhibit: Ötzi the Iceman, one of the best-preserved mummies ever discovered. Since the mummy's arrival in 1998, the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum has become the region's most iconic cultural attraction, drawing visitors eager to stand face to face with a man who lived more than 5,000 years ago.

Südtiroler Archäologiemuseum/foto-dpi.com

Ötzi the Iceman: one of the world's most famous mummies

The star of the museum exhibition, Ötzi was discovered by chance in September 1991 at the foot of the Schnalstaler Gletscher glacier in the Ötztal Alps, at an altitude of 3,210 metres. Radiocarbon dating revealed that the "man from the ice" lived during the Copper Age, more than 5,000 years ago, making him one of the oldest naturally preserved human mummies in the world.

Since his discovery, Ötzi has become one of the most researched individuals in human history. Scientists have reconstructed his last meal, his clothing, his tools, his DNA, his illnesses — and even the likely cause of his death. Few archaeological finds anywhere have generated as much scientific and public fascination as this Ötzi’s case.

South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Augustin Ochsenreiter

Inside the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum: what to see

The South Tyrol archeological museum is organised over three floors, each dedicated to a different chapter of Ötzi's story:

  • IDM Südtirol

    Ground floor: the discovery.

    Follow the story of how two German hikers stumbled upon the mummy in 1991, and how the recovery and identification process unfolded — a discovery that stunned the scientific world.

  • IDM Südtirol

    First floor: Ötzi in person.

    This is where visitors come face to face with the mummy itself, preserved in a specially developed cool cell that replicates glacier conditions. Alongside him, his original clothing, tools, and equipment offer a rare, tangible glimpse into daily life during the Copper Age.

  • IDM Südtirol

    Second floor: 30 years of research.

    Explore the scientific findings gathered over three decades of study: What did Ötzi eat before he died? What diseases did he suffer from? And was he murdered? The exhibition presents the latest theories and evidence in an interactive format suitable for adults and children alike.

  • IDM Südtirol

    Visitor information

    • Location: Via Museo 43, old town of Bolzano/Bozen, at the start of the pedestrian zone.

    • Tickets & opening hours: up to date information available on the official Ötzi museum website.

    • Good to know: the museum also hosts rotating special and touring exhibitions in addition to the permanent Ötzi exhibition.

Where Ötzi was found: exploring the Schnalstal valley

Ötzi's story doesn't end inside the museum walls. The place where he was discovered, the Tisenjoch ridge above the Schnalstal/Val Senales valley, has itself become a destination for hikers and history enthusiasts.

 

Hike to the discovery site

Experienced hikers can follow the mountain trail from Vernagt/Vernago to the exact recovery site at 3,210m, passing by the Similaun mountain hut. The route is possible as a glacier walk in summer or a ski tour in winter, and offers dramatic views over the surrounding peaks.

PhotoGruenerThomas

ArcheoParc Schnalstal Valley

A short drive from the discovery site, the ArcheoParc brings the Copper Age to life with reconstructed Stone Age dwellings, hands-on activities, and exhibits exploring how people like Ötzi actually lived, an excellent stop for families.

www.tinasturzenegger.com

Iceman Ötzi Peak

Named in tribute to the famous mummy, this viewpoint in the Schnalstal valley offers panoramic views over the glacier landscape where Ötzi spent his final days.

Beyond the Iceman Museum: other museums and attractions in Bolzano

Bolzano rewards visitors who want to extend their cultural itinerary beyond Ötzi. From the Nature Museum with its fascinating permanent and touring exhibitions on South Tyrol's landscapes and wildlife to the Museion, a striking modern building that hosts impressive contemporary art. Moreover, Bolzano’s historic squares, arcades and South Tyrolean gastronomy are just steps away from the museums.

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Frequently asked questions about Ötzi

The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology is located in the historic centre of Bolzano, at the start of the pedestrian zone, in a former bank building from 1912.

Ötzi is more than 5,000 years old, dating back to the Copper Age. He was discovered in 1991 and is one of the best-preserved mummies in the world.

Ötzi was found at the Tisenjoch ridge in the Schnalstal/Val Senales valley, at 3,210m altitude, at the border between South Tyrol and Austria.

Tickets and opening hours for the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology can be checked and booked via the official website, iceman.it.

Accommodations in Bolzano

How about a tasteful room in an architectural treasure? A wellness hotel with exceptional cuisine? A suite in a chic boutique hotel? Or a cosy place to sleep on a farm?

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