Musea van de Dolomieten

History and stories from the castle and the region, an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Prices:

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The Bunker
A Cold War Relic in South Tyrol
Built between 1938 and 1942 as part of the Toblach defense line, the bunker was only activated in the 1950s under NATO’s defense plans against the Warsaw Pact. It was never used in combat, but espionage was widespread. Abandoned in 1993 and later privatized, it has housed the BunkerMuseum since 2017.

More than 160 pieces of art by painter Rudolf Stolz (1874 - 1960) can be admired in the museums' showrooms. The artist learned by self instruction. During the first half of the 20th century he was one of the most renowned artists in Tyrol, together with Egger-Lienz. The art of Rudolf Stolz is characterised by the drawings of Madonnas. Special exhibition in the summer 2021: Amon e Fingerle 1906 -1940: Liebe für das Haus (love for the house)

The Town Museum of Graphic Arts was opened in 1995 in the restored and converted postal stables, where, in earlier centuries, horses were fed and watered, and postal coaches were prepared for travelers. On the ground floor, in addition to the entrance hall, is the permanent exhibition of late Gothic works by Michael Pacher, his assistant Friedrich Pacher and his pupils Simon and Veit von Taisten.Stadtmuseum Bruneck The first floor houses the temporary exhibitions, whilst the archive and offices are to be found on the second floor. The graphic arts gallery is located in the basement, which is made available to young artists for exhibitions. In addition, there is also an artists' workshop in the museum with all the necessary equipment for gravure printing, surface printing and relief printing (etching, lithography & woodcarving) and screen printing. The museum possesses, among other exhibits, 7500 book plates. The main focus is on the graphics of the 20th century from both the local region and abroad, and on collecting, presenting and working on them from a scientific perspective. A second area of emphasis is on restoring and exhibiting the original town museum's exhibits. In addition, numerous cultural initiatives are run by the museum. 

In this museum, Reinhold Messner deals with the final aspect of the conflict between man and the mountains; the heritage of the mountains and the people who have lived in them since time immemorial.

The fifth Messner Mountain Museum was opened in summer 2011 in Bruneck Castle by the well-known mountaineer Reinhold Messner. There are countless exhibits from everyday life. With the interactive "MMM Mountain Peoples" project, Reinhold Messner aims not to "exhibit" people, but rather to invite them to take part in an exchange of experience with the local rural population.

Every year guests from another mountain region will spend the summer in the Messner Mountain Peoples Museum and talk about their way of life, accompanied by everyday cultural exhibits belonging to different mountain regions and their inhabitants, including the Sherpas, Incas, Tibetans and Mongolians.

Ticket prices:

Adults € 14,00, kids (6 - 14 years) € 6,00, students under 28 years and seniors over 65 years € 12,00, family ticket (1 adult + kids under 14 years) € 32,00, mini family ticket (1 adult + kids under 14 years) € 18,00, groups of 15 persons and more € 12,00, school classes (6 - 19 years) € 6,00

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.

 

Opened in 2001, the Ladin Ciastel de Tor Museum brings visitors closer to the history, language, culture, archaeology, geology, legendary world, crafts and tourist development of the Ladin valleys in the Dolomites.

In the halls and inner courtyard of the castle built in the 13th century, exhibitions, concerts and seminars are held as well as meetings on various themes and aspects related to the Ladin language and culture.

A visit to the museum brings to light the most important events of the past and partly present life of the Ladin people, highlighting the significant influences of extra-regional events on their lives.

The Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor is in a Mediaeval structure, so only a few of the exhibition areas are accessible to wheelchair users. However, the temporary exhibition is easily accessible to everyone.

The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus tells the fascinating story of the cave bear that lived over 50,000 years ago in the Dolomites and was discovered in the Conturines cave, considered the highest-altitude site in the world where the remains of the cave bear and cave lion have been found. Visitors can also explore the geological history of the Dolomites, beautifully narrated through stunning fossils.

The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus, an annex of the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor in San Martino in Badia, is spread over three floors.

On the top floor, the formation of the Dolomites is illustrated with unique fossils of great scientific interest, typical of the area surrounding San Cassiano.

Next is the section dedicated to the formation of the cave, its discovery, and the excavations that unearthed thousands of bones. All the essential aspects of the cave bear's life and its environment are explained through the Ursus ladinicus remains, dating back more than 50,000 years.

On the ground floor, visitors can explore a reconstruction of the bear's cave, where they can admire "the mother bear in eternal hibernation with her cub."

Accessible for people with disabilities: The Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus is fully wheelchair accessible.

See it, hear it, feel it, understand it ... The visitors' area in the new building of the Dobbiaco - San Candido district heating plant offers visitors an insight into the process of generating electrical and thermal energy using biomass.

Opened on June 25th 2005, the visitors’ area is the first of its kind in Europe. Come by and learn more about how the forest stores energy, about wood chips, combustion, the ORC module, filter technology, district heating and about the story of how the heating plant was developed. The visitors' area is particularly suitable for school classes.

guided tours: December - March & June - September: Wednesday at 4 p.m.

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.

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!

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

The Max Valier Observatory in Gummer|San Valentino is located near the provincial capital Bozen|Bolzano and is a gateway to the stars and a place where the fascination of the universe comes to life. Named after the South Tyrolean astronomer and space pioneer Max Valier, the facility invites visitors to explore the depths of the universe. The centrepiece of the observatory is an impressive 80 cm reflector telescope, which gives you detailed views of distant galaxies, brilliant stars and the planets of our solar system.

During a guided tour with the dedicated amateur astronomers of the ‘Max Valier’ association, you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and discover the infinite vastness of the cosmos. Whether you have just discovered your passion for astronomy or are already an experienced stargazer - the observatory offers you exciting insights and an unforgettable experience under the clear skies of South Tyrol.

Important information:
A visit or tour of the observatory is only possible as part of a guided tour. Guided tours take place every Thursday and Friday.
Booking is required!
Telephone: 0039 371 6761428 (weekdays from 9am - 12pm and 3pm - 6pm)
E-mail: info@sternwarte.it

Cost of the guided tour:
Adults (aged 14 and over): €8.00
Children (from 6 to 14 years): €4.00

You can stop for a break at the neighbouring Untereggerhof Inn

Here is a brief insight into our observatory:
Observatory Max Valier

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 is located in Hotel Mondschein in the centre of Sesto. It was realised by Mr. Stabinger with a lot of love for detail.

This fascinating open-air exhibition with 10 panels on astronomical themes can be found on hiking trail 2B around the ‘Pstosser Bühl’ hill, just a few steps from the centre of Steinegg|Collepietra.

Since May 2022, the ‘Fly to the Universe’ exhibition has been inviting you to immerse yourself in the depths of space. The impressive deep-sky images were created by Stephanie Wolters, Brigitte Lintner and Dieter Seiwald from the ‘Max Valier’ amateur astronomers' association. With every step along the trail, you will discover new perspectives - from the starry sky above the Max Valier observatory to the most remote galaxies.

There is another highlight on this trail: a mountain cinema. Take a seat on the practical wooden chairs, look through the wooden frame and discover wonderful views of the Schlern|Sciliar, the earth pyramids and the Rosengarten|Catinaccio.

While the adults discover distant galaxies, the children can let off steam in the forest playground on the Pstosser Bühl.

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.

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

The Steinegg Museum offers an unforgettable excursion into Tyrolean history. Rural life, its roots in religion, the various almost forgotten trades and the painful memories of the wars are just some of the lovingly collected exhibits. On a guided tour through the faithfully reconstructed rooms, chambers and workrooms, you can feel the spirit of simple life at first hand and be fascinated by almost forgotten living and working habits.
An exhibition of native animal species will make children's hearts beat faster.

A new attraction is the opportunity to hear directly from contemporary witnesses about how they lived in earlier times. These exciting interviews can be shown on various screens.

Important information:
The museum opens on Palm Sunday and remains open until the end of October.
Visits are only possible with a guided tour in german or italian languague. These take place from Tuesday to Friday at 10:10 and 11:10 and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 17:00.

A reservation is required: +39 0471 619560 or steinegg@eggental.com
On weekdays, reservations must be made by 12 noon the day before, on weekends by 4 pm on Thursday and 48 hours in advance on public holidays.
Special guided tours for groups of 10 people or more are possible by prior arrangement.

A barrier-free visit to the museum is unfortunately not possible.

Here is a brief insight:
Video Museum Steinegg

Sacred art is here surrounded by old stone walls: ancient altarpieces and consecrated panels from the 16th century, early Baroque statues of saints and religious paintings delve deep into the history of the Val d'Ega. The local museum in Castle Thurn is attached to the present-day town hall in a Romanesque tower dating from the 13th century, which was once used as a residence and, around 1341, for court sittings. In 1911 the residence of Thurn Castle was transferred to the municipality of Nova Ponente, which meticulously renovated the building and opened it to the historically minded.

Mount Kronplatz is already a success story – and still, there is always room for yet more potential in both summer and winter. With the MMM Corones project, Kronplatz has now written another historic chapter which adds a distinct cultural flavour to this outstanding example of Alpine competence. Inaugurated in 2003, the striking Concordia 2000 peace bell was a first step towards a wider cultural offer. And now, with the MMM Corones, an exciting new milestone has followed suit. The museum was designed and built by world-renowned Zaha Hadid, by many considered the most talented and innovative architect of our time. Zaha Hadid, Reinhold Messner and Kronplatz – that’s an impressive three key brands joining forces for this exciting new project. Adults: 14,00€, children 6–18 years: 6,00€, students (under 28 years): 12,00€, Seniors over 65 years: 12,00€, family ticket (2 adults + children under 14 years): 32,00€, mini-family ticket (1 adult + children under 14 years): 18,00€, groups min. 15 people: 12,00€/person, school classes 6–18 years: 6,00€/person
People with disabilities: 12,00€
LAST ADMISSION 15.30 O'CLOCK

Man’s fascination with mountains has been unbroken as long as anyone can remember.

LUMEN gives this fascination a photographic home: located at the summit of the region Kronplatz (in South Tyrol), 1,800 square metres are dedicated to mountain photography.

Spanning four floors LUMEN offers the possibility to experience the history of mountain photography from its beginnings until the present as well as displaying the art of mountain-photographers from all over the world.

 

Last entrance: 3.30 p.m.

The South Tyrolean Folklore Museum is the oldest of the provincial museums in South Tyrol and offers a view of social life in the past. The noble residence “Mair am Hof”, built in the 17th century, gives you the opportunity of following a striking itinerary through the refined world of local aristocracy. The stately rooms of the landed gentry and the collections of the museum are located inside the residence. Translocated original farm houses, craft workshops and cottage gardens are situated on the three hectares of the green area. A walk through the open air site takes you into the everyday world of various peasant groups of the past: from the self-sufficient farmers to rural craftsmen, cottagers and labourers.

The historical museum dedicated to the First World War is located on the summit of Monte Piana, a place that also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

As the border between Italy and the Habsburg monarchy of Austria-Hungary crossed Monte Piana, during the war this peak (2,324 metres high) became the scene of intense fighting between the Italians and Austrians, both eager to control this strategic position. The northern peak was occupied by the Austrians, while the southern one was under Italian control. The positions, trenches and tunnels of both fronts were only a few metres apart, making the location an extremely bloody battlefield.

The 14,000 soldiers who lost their lives during these battles are now buried in the Sorgenti War Cemetery. For two years, a bloody positional war was fought, which, however, did not lead to a decisive breakthrough in the conflict.             

Deeply underground you will find on 200 m2 - in a shell of 3.600 m3 of concrete and steel - an adventurous historical parcour between past and present.

summer 2025
20.06. - 30.09.2025
Monday - Saturday: 1.30 - 6.00 pm
August 2025: open daily

all the year: groups on request (min. 8 people)

All the information and prices at our homepage!

The Peter Anich Solar Observatory in Gummer|San Valentino, in the municipality of Karneid|Cornedo all' Isarco, is just over half an hour from Bozen|Bolzano and yet far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and light pollution. Together with the Max Valier Observatory, it offers fascinating insights into the secrets of the universe - from the depths of the starry sky to the spectacular details of our sun.

The view through the solar telescope, which is equipped with a special filter, is a real highlight: you can see the bubbling surface of the sun, recognise sunspots and experience the unbridled power of our star up close. 

In the summer months, guided tours take place every Friday at 2 pm, where you can learn all about the sun and practical sky observation from experienced guides. Individual appointments can also be arranged for groups - advance booking is always required.
During the usual evening tours at the ‘Max Valier’ observatory, the telescope of the solar observatory serves as an additional instrument for observing stars, the moon, galaxies and much more

Entry fees:
    Adults: €8.00
    Children: € 4.00

Roman period in Val Pusteria. The life of our ancestors 100BC-600AD. In the land of Saevates. The Museum Mansio Sebatum Archaelogical Museum is the first museum in South Tyrol dedicated to the ancient Romans who lived in the area around San Lorenzo. The exhibition displayed on three floors illustrates history and development of the ancient Mansio Sebatum settlement and includes many remarkable finds from and around San Lorenzo. The exhibition also provides results from researches on the Iron and Roman Ages which give detailed insight into the daliy life of those times.

The fire helmet collection at the helmet museum in Gais is unique worldwide: over 700 splendid fire helmets from all over the world are on show in a museum covering 200 sq. m. The exhibits include, among other things, collector's items made from leather, steel and brass, helmets from Egypt, Thailand, Guatemala, New York and a multitude of other helmets from many different countries. The French helmets, which are made of metal, are especially elaborate, often being decorated with feathers.

Visits only on request by phone!

SMACH Val dl'Ert is the public art park in the nature of San Martino in Badia winner of the special mention in the National Landscape Award 2023 awarded by the Ministry of Culture.
In the 24 hectares of pristine forest and pastures, the trail will lead you to discover 23 works that dialogue with the landscape and visitors.

The Val dl'Ert is conceived as a work in progress, in fact it is enriched with new works after each edition of the SMACH Biennale, which this year will open on July 8, 2023 presenting 10 new installations.

Admission is free and the park can be visited independently every day of the year. You can also contact SMACH for individual or group guided tours.

The Dolomites are renowned all around the world for their unique -beauty. No other place can boast such contrasts between steep rocks and grassy pastures. Michael Wachtler presents the evolving of the Dolomites and their unique genesis in the historical Villa Wachtler. THE BIGGEST MUSEUM ABOUT THE DOLOMITES It will take you from the mysterious world of myths and legends to the bottom of our existence. “Megachirella wachtleri”, the ancient ancestor of today‘s snakes and lizards. The mysterious evolution of plants. Cavern bears in the Dolomites. NEW! DINOSAUR WORLD New researches yielded that in the Dolomites originated the ancestors of the dinosaurs. Beautiful dioramas and original skeletons show you their sensational ascension. NEW! THE LEGENDS OF DOLOMITES From Aurona, the land of gold and the lights to the Snow Queen Samblana. From the legend about the "Pale Mountains" to the Croderes, the people of stone. NEW! TREASURE DIGGING ALL THE YEAR Become an adventurous gold miner and crystal hunter yourself. You might just find a dinosaur, fossils, gold or a crystal of your own.