Museums in South Tyrol at a glance

Solid, central and welcoming, in this new and attractive visitor centre you will find information and emotions, fun and useful insights into the mountains and mountaineering, the Sexten/Sesto Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the people and the history of Sexten/Sesto.

The building itself was built using sustainable wood, without glue, paint or plastic fixtures, but entirely from untreated larch and spruce wood that fell during the 2018 Vaja storm in the area around Nemesalm. The unusual form of the “Haus der Berge” was chosen as the winning design of a high-level architecture competition in 2015, and was finally built by the municipal administration in 2022 - as a long cherished desire of the people of Sexten/Sesto.

We are proud and excited about this extraordinary 'visiting card' of Sexten/Sesto. Please celebrate with us!

On a hill above Mareit near Sterzing rises Wolfsthurn Castle, described by the Tyrolean historian Johann N. Tinkhauser in the 19th century as “the most beautiful castle in all Tyrol”.

The baroque castle has since its building been in the possession of the Sternbach family, and since 1996 has accommodated the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing.

The Museum displays the originally furnished ceremonial rooms as well as a rich cultural and historical collection on the history of hunting and fishing.

The interesting “Forest and Water” walking trail leads to the castle.

The tourism museum in Haus Wassermann documents the history of tourism in Alta Pusteria.

On the first floor you can trace the foundations of tourism, the flair of the old inns and the many spas. Also showcased is the construction of the railway line in Val Pusteria, which led to the development of modern tourism. A separate room is given to the early development of Alpine sport.

On the second floor visitors discover the centuries-old history of the building. Some of the rooms focus on the history of the noble family Von Kurz and the Wassermann family. One entire room is dedicated to Emma Hellensteiner, Tyrol`s most famous innkeeper and hotelier. A simple chamber provides a glance into the working world of the servants.

link to the video

The museum "Avventura Haderburg" shows the historical background of the medieval castle and his residents. There is illustrated the development of the castle, the weir system, the habitation and also the decline of the castle. Over 100 artefacts explain the importance of the castle.

Sacred Art of the churches and chapels of Valle Aurina - Ahrntal, archaeological finds and loans.


Entrance fee:
€ 2,50; € 1,00 per person (aged 14 and over) with GuestPass museuMobil

In September 2018, the museum structure Timmel_Transit was officially opened in occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Timmelsjoch road. It is designed to be a meaningful addition to the Pass Museum and to complete the whole museum concept Timmelsjoch-experience. It is housed in a former barracks of 1930. The topic: history about the construction of the Timmelsjoch road on the South Tyrolean side.

Free admission

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

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.

In Manni's private museum you will find many exciting objects and stories from the area and on various topics: whether fossils and minerals, the First World War on the Ortler front or the castles of Upper and Lower Montani - there is guaranteed to be something interesting for everyone.

Castel Velthurns is a unique historical building. It was built in 1580 as the summer residence of the prince-bishop of Bressanone, Johann Thomas von Spaur. Its uniqueness lies not so much in its architecture as in its furnishings. The ten rooms are decorated with wood panelling and wall paintings, making Castel Velthurns one of the best preserved Renaissance residences in the Alps. In the past, the residence also housed an aviary and a deer park.

This elegant complex was carefully restored in 1979/83.

The interior of Velthurns Castle reflects the quality of upscale representation of the late 16th century. It is a master example of a well thought-out interior design. In the wall paintings and paneling, the claim of a humanistically influenced variety of themes is visible. Special exhibitions in the Schreiberhaus complement the activities of Velthurns Castle.

In 1978 it became the property of the Province of South Tyrol and was renovated in 1979. On the first floor, the castle houses an archaeological museum with finds from Feldthurns and the central Eisack Valley.

On the ground floor, the castle houses an archaeological museum with finds from Feldthurns and the central Eisack Valley. In addition to the permanent exhibition with finds from Feldthurns, temporary exhibitions are held on a regular basis.

In addition to the existing Nature Park House in Truden, an information point for the Trudner Horn Nature Park was opened in Gfrill (Salurn) in 2014. Right next to the car park, visitors will find the most important information about  Gfrill, interesting facts about water and hiking suggestions in the southern part of the Trudner Horn Nature Park. Special attention is also paid to the wetlands, birdlife and amphibians of the nature park.

Free entry

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.

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

How have women lived, thought, and fought across the centuries? What have they changed — and how have they shaped the world? For those seeking answers in Merano, the Women’s Museum offers a rare and powerful perspective. One of the few museums in Europe devoted entirely to women’s history, it invites visitors to explore the stories, struggles, and achievements of women across time.
Since 1988, the museum has been housed in the former Poor Clares convent in the heart of Merano’s old town – a fitting setting for a space that encourages visitors to leave behind conventional perspectives and rediscover history from a different point of view. Spread across several floors, the exhibition presents a compelling panorama: from Victorian corsets to miniskirts, from quiet heroines to revolutionary pioneers. Fashion plays a particularly meaningful role. For generations, women’s clothing has been more than a matter of style – it has reflected freedom and restriction, social standing and new beginnings. Among historic dresses and accessories, figures such as Empress Elisabeth (“Sisi”), Marie Curie, and Rosa Parks shed light on how women have dared to break boundaries.
Exciting Insights:
- The oldest piece on display is a true highlight: an 18th-century lace shawl – handmade and as exquisite as a treasure.
- In addition to the permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts special exhibitions that explore contemporary issues such as gender, feminism, and body image.
- Since 2006, the museum has been run by a nonprofit organization made up entirely of women working on a voluntary basis.
But the Women’s Museum is more than a place of reflection – it is a vibrant forum. Readings, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural initiatives turn it into a hub for anyone engaged with questions of equality, diversity, and social transformation. What makes it especially compelling is its dual focus: international in outlook, yet deeply rooted in the local context. In this way, the Women’s Museum builds bridges – between past and present, between global movements and personal stories. A visit opens doors: to forgotten lives, to fresh perspectives, and perhaps even to a new understanding of oneself.

Entrance fees
adults €7.00
reduced (students, seniors) €5.00
children (8-14 years) €3.00

Exhibition "Traces of history"  the Great War in the old school in Sexten / Sesto:

Many areas of the Dolomites are in the process of setting up projects to enhance the historical testimony of the Great War. Sesto di Pusteria was both victim and protagonist of this tragedy. Sesto di Pusteria is the only place of Germanic language and culture belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to find itself at the front line, undergoing forced evacuation and displacement, and then, together with other places of the South Tyrol, being annexed to Italy. This chance set of events makes Sesto an emblematic place to tell the history of this period, not only for the Tyrolean citizens of today but for all the inhabitants of Europe. The vicissitudes of the civilian population and of the soldiers during this extremely important moment in history have so far surprisingly been neglected, undoubtedly because of the upheaval following the end of the war and annexation to Italy. Given the considerable interest in the First World War that is now emerging in Europe, Sesto has unique and inestimable contribution to make. The Associazione Bellum Aquilarum (Bellum Aquilarum historical association) aims to save from oblivion the surviving testimony to this tragedy in order to preserve it so that it can be handed down to future generations, not only to the young people of Pusteria, but also to those living in places once belonging to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire that were the scenes of battle here. The tragedy experienced so deeply at Sesto and in Pusteria is askin to that of many other areas of Europe which were on the front line or which, after the war, witnessed the havoc brougth on by territorial annexation. The ensuing cultural, historical and political schism was immense; without doubt, these events changed Pusteria but also Europe itself, and today - in a European perspective enabling the age-old tensions issuing from the war to be overcome - preserving these memories can aid us in the construction of our common future.

 

Information boards and numerous pictorial exhibits are to be found inside the fantastic viewing tunnel at the mountain station of the Schnalstal Valley Cable Car at 3,212 m a.s.l, the only gallery of its kind in South Tyrol. The exhibits give a clear picture of what life was like 5,300 years ago and there's a life-size statue of Ötzi himself with his tools and weapons near at hand.

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 2025

12,00 € adults
8,50 € children (3 to 14 years) 
6,00 € school classes
9,00 € reduction for students, people with disabilities, senior citizens aged 65 and over, groups of 15 or more

25,00 € family ticket (2 adults + 1 child up to 18 years)      
29,00 € 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.

Doll exhibition with over 1,500 dolls in the Doktorvilla in Sand in Taufers/Campo Tures. Exhibition and flea market.

The history of tourism in Acereto is still young, as there was no access road to the village until 1967. However, already at the beginning of the 1960s, the Moosmair inn regularly welcomed visitors in the summer who did not mind the strenuous walk up the mountain. Luggage was delivered by a freight elevator to the nearby sawmill.

But the roots go much further back. Individual 'outsiders' may have walked up the steep mountain village as far back as 1800.

These and other interesting documents on mountain farming and tourism can be found in the private Moos-eum.

In the shadow of the majestic Collegiate Church stands a building of no less historical importance with an exterior that has not been changed since the 16th century. The eastern part dates back to the 10th Century, when the Benedictine Convent, founded in 769 by Duke Tassilo III, still existed, and was transformed into a Collegiate Church sometime around 1143. The western part was built in 1385. Today's appearance dates back to the 16th century. The ornamental paintings around the windows were realised by painters from the Bressanone School around 1550. The rooms on the ground floor served as storage rooms for food supplies, while the upper floors provided the religious chapter's room, the library, the archive, the dormitory and the work room for the librarians and the masters. Today, the building hosts the museum, the archive and the library of the Collegiate Church.

Opening times
10.06.-20.09.2025: Tuesday - Saturday, 2 - 7 pm

winter: upon request 2-3 days before

Prices
single ticket: € 5,00
children up to 14 years: free

Museum Upper Vinschgau Valley on the history of seestation.

In addition to a photo documentation on the seestation of 1949/50, the decline and reconstruction of the villages Curon and Resia, there is also a collection of sacred objects and figures.

Guided tour for groups on request: +39 348 0 60 95 60

According the slogan "freedom and harmony between art and nature" the South Tyrolean artist Sieglinde Tatz-Borgogno has created 200 sculptures of bronze, marble and clay at the small village Pochinear Salorno. People with their forces, desires and fears are at the focus of the artist's creativity. The sculpture-garden is reachable in a few minutes from the center of Pochi and is freely accessible.

The visitor centre ‘naturatrafoi’ is situated in Trafoi at the Stilfserjochroad.

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.

The spacious area beneath the Scheibkopf mountain offers a superb 180° panorama view of the Texelgruppe nature reserve. A telescope focuses the viewer’s attention on the Granatkogel (3,304 m) and the Hohe First (3,403 m) which stand out prominently from the eternal glacial ice.

Discover all about…

…the geology of the far end of the Passeiertal valley.
…the rocks.
…the Passeirer mountain goat.

 

Ladin Museum - Tor Castle In the very heart of the Dolomites live more than 30,000 Dolomite Ladins whose identity is characterised mainly by two important features: the uniqueness of their language, which derives from popular Latin, and the extraordinary mountain landscape at the heart of the southern Alps. It is only thanks to the physical characteristics of this landscape that the Ladin language has survived today. It is the eldest of all languages spoken in this region and is restricted by the Italian and the German cultural and linguistic areas that surround it. The way through the museum focuses on some significant aspects of the present and past lives of the Dolomite Ladins, highlighting the important influences of cross-regional events on the lives of the population and pinpointing the existing interrelations between landscape forms and lifestyles. The museum is housed in the Ciastel de Tor, a castle dating back to 1230, created as a fiefdom of the Bishops of Brixen.

The castle is available as a wedding venue for couples interested in crowning an unforgettable day and experiencing a fairytale moment in a medieval castle.

In the heart of Merano’s lively old town, surrounded by narrow alleys and bustling squares, stands a remarkable piece of Tyrolean history: the Prince’s Castle. Dating back to the 15th century, this late Gothic residence invites visitors to step into a world of noble grandeur, political power, and refined courtly life.
Built around 1470 by Duke Sigismund of Austria – known by the nickname "der Münzreiche" (rich in coin) – from the House of Habsburg, the castle was never intended as a fortress. Rather, it was conceived as a prestigious city residence, reflecting Merano’s significance at the time as the capital of Tyrol. Strategically placed in the center of this prosperous trading town, the castle symbolized the Duke’s influence and Merano’s status as a seat of political and economic power.
From the very first glance, the building reveals its purpose: not defense, but display. Elegant oriel windows, frescoes, and finely carved wooden ceilings reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of the late Gothic era and the Duke’s patronage of the arts. The castle served as an administrative headquarters, a residential palace, and a venue for ceremonial occasions and courtly festivities.
Interesting Insights:
- Duke Sigismund was an enthusiastic patron of architecture and is believed to have commissioned master builders from across South Tyrol – possibly even Peter von Erenstein, one of the leading Gothic architects of his time.
- Today, the Prince’s Castle offers a rare glimpse into aristocratic life in the late Middle Ages. Visitors can explore original rooms that have been carefully preserved: from the knight’s hall to private living quarters, from the castle kitchen to the paneled chambers once used for banquets and political meetings. Highlights include the intricately carved furnishings, a remarkably intact smoke room, and the richly decorated ceilings.
- Another highlight is the collection of late Gothic artworks housed within the castle. Altarpieces, sculptures, and paintings offer insight into the era’s spiritual and artistic worldview – making the castle a true treasure trove for lovers of history and culture.
After Merano lost its political prominence in the 16th century, the castle gradually faded into obscurity. Over the centuries, it served various purposes – from courthouse to military barracks – before being extensively restored in the 20th century. Today, the Prince’s Castle is both a museum and a living monument. Within its historic walls, the past feels tangible.
Here, the grandeur of Merano’s princely era still resonates – and one might even sense the visionary spirit of Duke Sigismund, who helped shape the destiny of this remarkable town.

Admission fees
Adults € 5.00
Reduced fee € 4.00
Combi Prince's Castle + Palais Mamming Museum € 8.00
Free admission for children

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.

In 1940-41 by the fascist regime was built this bunker for reasons of defence. It is an impressive underground structure made on several storeys with a tight net of tunnels, that joins shooting ranges and inner rooms. In the front area there is an exhibition of photographs (Gampen Gallery), whereas the central part hosts an exclusive collection of minerals. 

The Museum of Popular Culture is situated in a historical building under the arcades of Neumarkt/Egna. You can visit the living space of a middle-class family of the 19th an 20th century.

With an extensive collection of furniture and utensils used in everyday life, the museum gives insight into a long-gone way of life. Thus, in the museum you can find a playroom, sewing room, a kitchen with pantry, as well as a salon and a bedroom.

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.

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