All museums in Klausen/Chiusa

The village museum gives you an interesting view of the rural life in South Tyrol. The Gufidaun village museum has three main collections: the everyday rural culture, the crafts and the local art. The museum houses an original "soot kitchen" and various pieces of rural furniture and everyday objects, which are arranged into ensembles. A complete cobbler's workshop provides an insight into the versatility of this old craft. A special feature of the museum is the Telfner corner. The painter Josef Telfner, originally from Meran, lived in Gufidaun for many years. He painted watercolours with various views of the village and portrayed numerous people from Gudon.

On request visits possible all year round: tel. +39 0472 847 399 or +39 348 7747339 (Otto Schenk)

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/

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.

The art collection of the Museum of Klausen/Chiusa is located in the former Capuchin monastery. The entire first floor of the museum is dedicated to the famous Treasure of Loreto that forms the most important part of the museum. The Treasure of Loreto goes back to an endowment around 1700 by Queen Maria Anna of Spain (1667-1740) in response to a request by her confessor, Father Gabriel Pontifeser.
Another key aspect of our permanent exhibition is the Klausner Art Colony (1874-1914) with its well-known representative Alexander Koester.
The tour through the museum includes also a visit to the baroque Capuchin church.

Temporary exhibitions

29.3. - 31.05.2025: Two special exhibitions at the City Museum

• “THE HUTTERITES”
  A search for traces in Chiusa
  Opening: Friday, 28.3.2025
• "PESC"
  Joint exhibition in collaboration with UNIKA
  Opening: Friday, 28.3.2025

14.6. - 16.8.2025: Two special exhibitions at the City Museum

• LOIS ANVIDALFAREI
  „Hoc est enim Corpus meum“
  Opening: 13.6.2025
• ERIC PERATHONER
  Art in the Old Town
  Opening: 13.6.2025

30.8. - 31.10.2025

Joint exhibition at the City Museum in collaboration with the ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS OF VENICE
Duration: 30.8. – 31.10.2025
Opening: 29.8.2025

More information about the city museum: https://www.museumklausenchiusa.it/en/

The sun terrace of Velturno has been visited and populated for more than 7000 years. As the excavation of the Tanzgasse showed, the area was of particular significance during the late Copper Age, around the 3rd Millennium BC: the megalithic structure, which formed the central part of this place of worship with its grave mounds, stretches across the visible area of the Archeoparc. The standing stones that were found within this place of worship offer the chance to place the rest of the megalithic findings within the South Tyrol into a monumental context and to interpret their historical significance. The results of the analyses of the often small plant and animal remnants, but also of non-organic matter, open up insights into everyday prehistoric life.

The Plunacker Archeoparc is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Alps. The settlement remains span from the Mesolithic period to the Neolithic period, from the bronze age to the Roman period. That is a time span of about 7,000 years! The main attractions are certainly the extensive Roman and mediaeval remains of buildings.

It was discovered by chance in 1976 during excavation work, and during the 80s various buildings were gradually uncovered. The Villanders Archeoparc now covers an area of approx. 1,600 m². There is a permanent exhibit next to it with amphoras and many other discoveries.

Guided tours are also possible outside the opening hours.
Further information: Tel. +39 3355474663 or e-mail: mari.erlacher@gmail.com.