L'arc muséal est ici très large : De l'historique au contemporain, du local à l'international, du château médiéval au fleuron de l'architecture contemporaine, du plaisir à l'irritation. Découvre les différents musées de la région.
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.
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.
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.
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 2025: 01.04. - 02.11.
every tuesday, thursday and sunday
10.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 17.30
1991 Alexander Schwabl found during cleanup in the basement a few pieces of equipment from the Second World War. He decided to keep these things in order to preserve them from decay and thus from oblivion. Soon, other findings from other basements, attics and storage rooms were added.
In Moos/Moso you will find a museum experience with a particular character. In combination with an Information Centre of the Natural Park Texel group exhibition areas to settlement history of the background Passeier, snow mountain, natural history and geology offered. History and experience bunker as well as a Capricorn-enclosure complete the offer.
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.
The historic gothic block house is one of the oldest existing wooden structures in South Tyrol. Listed under a historical preservation order in 1982, the old kitchen has an open-hearth fireplace typical of the Alpine mountain regions. In 2000, MuseumPasseier established a small museum illustrating traditional rural life, farming the pastures and the local way of life in medieval times. The exhibition remains open throughout the summer months.
Not far from the animal compound lies the late Baroque Chapel of St. Anna, dating from 1796.
Getting there: starting from the center of St. Leonhard/San Leonardo, pass the church on trail no. 13 or just follow the directions to St. Anna. The ascent along the forest road up a moderately steep slope (difference in altitude: 650m) takes about 2.5 hrs, and is also suited to mountain bikes.
In a side valley at an altitude of 1,350m a.s.l., the mountain pasture is located in a picturesque setting north-east of St. Leonhard/San Leonardo. Open in summer.
Schneeberg - the highest located mine in Europe
In 1237, the Schneeberg mountain was named for the first time. At an altitude of 2.000 to 2.500 metres above sea level, you will not only find Europe's highest located mine but also the most important lead and zinc mine of Tyrol. More than 150 kilometres of tunnels and pits, which are in part still passable today, speak about the history of this mine which flourished in the 15th Century and had up to 1,00 miners employed. The Schneeberg mountain outdoor conveyor system is with a length of 27 kilometres the longest in the world.
The South Tyrol Museum of Mining – Site Schneeberg is a witness to Tyrolean history and transports the visitors right back in time. Half-day and full-day guided tours, trips on the mine train into the tunnels, a museum with new showroom, a refuge ... all of these are fascinating possibilities below and above ground.
Guided tours:
» Exploring the mining area
Tue + Thu starting at 9.15 am from the bus stop/parking place "Schneebergbrücke"
Full-day walking tour with guide: visit showroom, guided tour of mining area and miners' village
» Adventure Schneeberg
Sat + Sun starting at 8.30 am from the bus stop/parking place “Schneebergbrücke”
Full-day guided walking and gallery tour: visit showroom, mining area, miners’ settlement of Schneeberg, hike for two hours along old miners’ trails and transport routes up to the Schneeberg Pass. The exciting return route involves 6 km underground.
More information about guided tours and prices:
www.bergbaumuseum.it/en/schneeberg
Guided tours only with preregistration until the day before 4 pm: info@koflerfranz or M +39 348 3100443 (Franz Kofler)
Contact shelterhut:
T +39 0473 932900 · schutzhuette@schneeberg.org · https://schneeberg.org/english/
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
A museum structure at the old hydroelectric power station situated at the foot of the Stieber Waterfall at Moos. The topics: hydropower, the history of technic and electricity of the Hinterpasseier.
Free admission
The Touriseum – South Tyrol Museum for Tourism – takes visitors on a captivating journey through the evolution of holidaymaking in the Alps. Housed in Trauttmansdorff Castle, once the retreat of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the museum has been inspiring curious minds since its opening in 2003. Spanning 20 imaginatively designed themed rooms, the exhibition explores how South Tyrol transformed from a remote mountain landscape into a cosmopolitan destination of global appeal.
From the very first step inside, it becomes clear: this is no conventional museum. The Touriseum invites guests to play, discover, and reflect – through life-size stage sets, hands-on displays, and clever storytelling. One moment you’re navigating a coach through a dramatic gorge, the next you’re checking into a grand hotel or accompanying a 1950s family on holiday. Highlights include vintage travel posters by celebrated Merano artist Franz Lenhart – graphic testimonies to the art of seduction in early tourism marketing.
History here is not just told – it is experienced. The second floor is home to the Sissi Rooms, where original furnishings and personal touches evoke the spa routines of Empress Elisabeth, who helped put Merano on the map as an elite resort in the 19th century. Throughout the museum, interactive multimedia stations offer the voices of locals and visitors, each adding their own perspective to South Tyrol’s cultural transformation.
A special feature of the Touriseum is its multilingual approach: all exhibitions are presented in German and Italian, with increasing content available in English – making it highly accessible for international and younger audiences. The tone is playful, even witty – perfectly embodied in the museum’s showpiece: the world’s largest tourism-themed pinball machine, where visitors can follow the highs and lows of tourism history with a flick of the wrist.
But the Touriseum offers more than historical knowledge – it inspires curiosity about social change, design, and regional identity. The museum itself is thoughtfully curated, both visually and conceptually, and forms the perfect gateway to the nearby Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, a botanical wonderland well worth exploring in its own right.
A visit to the Touriseum is a journey into the heart of South Tyrol’s identity – where stories are told with humour, depth, and style. It’s a must for anyone who wants to go beyond the surface and understand the cultural DNA of the region.
Special art - “The art of living and the art of loving” is the very original title of one of the latest books by Partschins/Parcines artist, Matthias Schönweger and, one of his particular mottos is: “Trees are the stuff books are made of”.
Schönweger, writer and collector, is also the owner of 50 imposing wartime bunkers which date back to World War II and are scattered throughout South Tyrol from the Brenner/Brennero Pass southwards.
One of his bunkers can be seen right here in Töll/Tel! These empty fortresses were places of safety and protection during wartime and can tell us much about recent historic events. Schönweger uses these dark, atmospheric constructions to host exhibitions and other cultural events on significant, meaningful themes.
I AM
LIKE MANY OTHERS
MORE OR LESS
A REPRESENTATIVE
OF MANKIND
I PUT MY FOOT IN THINGS
GIVE MY OPINION
AND YOURS, TOO
IN WORD AND PICTURES
AND
WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN
AN
ACTOR/TRAVELLER
IN ACTION LIVE
Matthias Schönweger
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.
In 1776, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria built a masonry embankment in Lagundo near Merano. This was meant to serve as protective bulwark against flooding of the Adige River. This masonry can still be visited today. Not far away, on the left bank of the river, are the ruins of an ancient imperial Roman road bridge along the route of the original "Via Claudia Augusta". Construction of the bridge dates to the first century AD. Today, the ruins of the bridge have the status of protected monuments. At the head of the bridge there is also a small shrine and chapel.
Discover the train station! The entertainment train station at Naturno/Stava is the old train station of the Val Senales. It shows an electric train on an 800 m track, an original steam engine locomotive Waldenburg Switzerland, a tank engine locomotive, and two wagons of the Rhaetic train. The station is open every Sunday afternoon from Mai until October.
Tyrol Castle is the most historically significant castle in South Tyrol. Its origins stretch back into the late 11th century.
Since 2003 Tyrol Castle has housed the South Tyrolean Museum of History. Its main focus is the history of the province from its beginnings to modern times.
The oldest structural elements can be found in church excavations in the outer bailey (three building phases, three-apse chamber from the 9th century). The south palace contains the two Romanesque portals. The two-storey castle chapel is dedicated to St. Pancras and is famous for its gothic frescoes. What is believed to be the wedding chamber of Countess Margarethe of Tyrol, known as Maultasch (literally “bag mouth”), is situated in the Mushaus. The keep, which was only completed after 1902, now houses an exhibition of the history of the 20th century depicted over twenty separate levels. The historic estate buildings house special exhibitions.
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
The Ulten Valley Folklore Museum offers an excellent overview of the life of the farmers in the Ulten Valley.
The Rochelehof is situated in the center of Marling. The proprietor, Walter Mairhofer, is a passionate collector of historic equipment and tools from days gone by. His collection specializes in grape and fruit growing. He is delighted to tell visitors about folk sayings, old rights and obligations and the storing of wine in cellars. Visits by telephone appointment: Tel. 366 11 45753
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.
From 06.01.2025 he museum is enjoying a short winter break.
From 17.02. until 21.02.2025 the museum opens for school groups and groups (on request).
From 25.03. until 11.04.2025 the museum opens for school groups and groups (on request).
Tucked into the sun-drenched slopes of Maia Alta/Obermais and surrounded by age-old vineyards, Rametz Castle stands as one of the region’s most storied wine estates. Wine has been cultivated here since 1227, and in 1860, the first Pinot Noir vine in South Tyrol was planted on thisvery soil. Over the centuries, the castle has undergone various architectural transformations – most notably its 19th-century redesign in Tudor style under Franz Flarer. Among its illustrious guests were Empress Elisabeth of Austria, King Albert of Saxony, and King Alexander of Serbia – all drawn to its refined charm during Merano’s golden spa era.
The Museum
Today, where once royals sojourned, visitors can embark on a unique cultural experience. Since 1980, Rametz Castle has housed a private wine museum, offering an immersive exploration of 800 years of wine heritage. The exhibition extends across the ground floor and into the original porphyry cellars – among the most atmospheric in the region. In four meticulously curated rooms, guests are guided through the seasonal cycle of traditional winemaking: from soil cultivation and vine care to pest control, harvesting, and cellar techniques.
Historical tools, ancient wine presses, grain mills, and implements for speck production paint a vivid picture of rural life, where wine was not only a craft, but a way of life. Each artefact bears silent witness to the labour, ingenuity, and cultural richness behind South Tyrol’s viticultural identity.
A highlight of any visit is the guided tour, culminating in a walk through the stunning 18th-century porphyry cellars. There, guests are invited to taste five carefully selected wines from the estate, accompanied by the house specialty: Kaiserspeck, a noble ham once served to imperial guests. The experience concludes in the elegant vinotheque, where premium wines, sparkling vintages, and fine South Tyrolean delicacies can be purchased.
For those wishing to extend their stay, the estate restaurant Am Schloss Rametz offers seasonal gourmet cuisine with a strong regional identity – perfectly paired with wines from the estate’s own vineyards.
Rametz Castle is more than a museum – it is a sensorial bridge between past and present, a place where connoisseurs, curious minds, and lovers of culture gather to discover the essence of South Tyrolean wine.
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.
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.
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 museum offers an insight to the 100-year history of the typewriter, ranging from the first wooden typewriter invented by Peter Mitterhofer from Partschins/Parcines to the computer age. The museum documents the highly interesting history of the typewriter with more than 2,000 exhibits. Among the exhibits are the first wooden models of the inventor Peter Mitterhofer from Partschins/Parcines, some of the most diverse and exceptional typewriter models from all around the world as well as models from the computer age. The collection also includes "Enigma", the mysterious machine used to decrypt and encrypt communications during the Second World War by the Nazis.
April - October: every first Sunday of each month with free entry
PRICES
The Völlan Farming Museum is located in a beautiful annex of the vicarage that once housed fire wood, the laundry, a pigsty and the baking oven and nowadays impressively illustrates pre-industrial farm life to visitors.
In front of the entrance you can already see various sandstone vessels, baskets for piglets and other farming tools. The two-floor museum consists of four rooms. The first one presents an original living room and through clothes and everyday objects gives insights into a farmer's life in the 18th century.
Many utensils like a butter churn, a Keschtnriggl (a traditional chestnut basket), sausage presses and pasta machines are on display in the adjacent kitchen, whereas the next room presents tools of all kinds that mainly were hand-made by the farmers of the pre-industrial era.
Nothing is better than to learn from history by living it. That is the reason why the Farmer's Museum in Völlan not only is meant for grown-up visitors but for students and children too, because ultimately it gives us insights into the hard everyday life of times long past.
Here you get an impression of the huge diversity of tools a farmer would need and use back then. The upper floor houses tools and equipment for spinning and weaving like a loom, a reel, etc. The mill in the last room, however, originates from Oberinn on the river Ritten near the capital of Bolzano/Bozen.
The "Culten" documentation centre on the church hill of S. Valburga/St. Walburg in the Ultental Valley is set to open its doors in Spring 2018. Divided into three sections,
