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.
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.
The Palais Mamming Museum, also known as the Merano Municipal Museum, stands as one of South Tyrol's oldest and most distinguished cultural institutions. Founded in 1900, it has been housed since 2015 in a beautifully restored Baroque palace on Pfarrplatz square.
Originally constructed in 1675 for the Freiherren von Mamming, the building is a striking fusion of historic architecture and contemporary design, offering an inspiring backdrop for the museum's rich and varied collection.
With over 100,000 objects and a Tyrolensia collection of 30,000 volumes, the museum offers an unparalleled journey through the history of Merano and the entire Tyrol region. The permanent exhibition unfolds across 27 thematic sections, guiding visitors through the epochs – from prehistory to the Middle Ages, Baroque art, and the rise of modernity.
Highlights:
An Egyptian mummy, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of ancient burial rituals.
A collection of Sudanese weapons from the estate of Slatin Pasha, an Austrian officer who made Merano his home.
The renowned "Meran" typewriter by Peter Mitterhofer, a key figure in the invention of the typewriter.
Napoleon's death mask, an impressive relic from the Napoleonic era.
Beyond these extraordinary historical artifacts, the museum also showcases works by prominent artists such as Friedrich Wasmann and Leo Putz, capturing the artistic evolution of the region. The collection is further enriched by minerals, fossils, and photographs, offering a comprehensive view of the region’s diverse cultural and natural heritage.
The Palais Mamming Museum is more than just a repository of history – it is a thriving cultural hub. It regularly hosts vernissages, readings, and various cultural events, making it a dynamic space for creativity and reflection.
For anyone with a passion for history, art, and culture, a visit to the Palais Mamming Museum is an absolute must. It not only offers profound insights into the past of Merano and South Tyrol but also invites visitors to discover the intricate connections between history and contemporary culture.
Entrance fees
adults € 6,00
reduced (seniors) € 5,00
Combi Ticket Palais Mamming Museum + The Prince´s Castle € 8,00
free admission for children
Spread across 500 square metres, it offers a diverse programme featuring exhibitions, readings, performances, concerts, and more. But Kunsthaus Meran isn’t some lofty, exclusive space – it’s a welcoming meeting place for everyone: art lovers, locals, international visitors, and even those just passing by.
Since 2001, the art association Kunst Meran-Merano Arte has showcased contemporary art in all its forms here – visual arts, photography, architecture, new media, music, and literature. The aim? To amplify diverse perspectives, especially those that have been overlooked in traditional art history. There’s a special focus on female narratives and voices from the Global South.
The building itself is a fascinating blend of old and new: narrow, winding passageways, a nod to the structure’s historic past, contrast with sleek, modern interior design. Light floods through the glass ceiling, creating a bright, inviting space where you’ll want to linger.
A visit is always worthwhile – even if it’s just to soak up the unique atmosphere. You can also browse the museum shop for books and catalogues to take a piece of the experience home with you.
Whether you’re ready to dive deep into the artworks or simply looking for a little inspiration, Kunsthaus Merano welcomes you with open arms. Stop by, let yourself be surprised, and discover just how multifaceted contemporary art can be.
With the exception of a small projection room on the third floor – which you can only reach via a few steps or a mobile ramp – Kunsthaus Meran is fully accessible throughout. A modern lift (120 x 120 cm) takes you safely and comfortably from one floor to the next. You can easily pick up the key at the front desk.
And if you’re looking for an accessible toilet, you’ll find one in the basement – of course, easy to reach as well.
Admission fees
Adults € 7.00
Reduced fee € 5.00
Students up to age 26 € 2.00
Children up to age 14 free admission
Online guided tours
For groups of ten or more, Kunst Merano Arte offers guided tours of its current exhibitions in German and Italian by prior arrangement. To make arrangements, please contact info@kunstmeranoarte.org or call during the gallery's opening hours.
The visit of the chapel is free.
Amidst palm trees and promenades, in the heart of Merano, lies a place that brings to life a nearly forgotten chapter of the city’s history: the Jewish Museum and Synagogue. Housed in an elegant Art Nouveau building from 1901, this cultural landmark preserves the memory of a small yet influential Jewish community – one that helped shape Merano’s golden age. When Empress Elisabeth of Austria chose Merano as her spa retreat, the city soon attracted not only aristocrats and artists but also prominent Jewish families from Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. They brought economic vitality, built elegant villas, hotels, and sanatoriums, and became important patrons of art, science, and culture. Many ran thriving businesses tied to the spa industry. The Jewish contribution to Merano’s development is still visible today – for those who look closely, traces remain throughout the city, including at the Jewish cemetery. At the center of this rich legacy stands the Synagogue on Schillerstraße street, still an active house of worship and home to the museum’s moving permanent exhibition. Here, visitors can explore the lives of Jewish families in Merano – their beginnings, achievements, and daily routines, but also the painful chapters of persecution during the Nazi era, the devastation of the community, and the difficult rebuilding after World War II. A special highlight of the Jewish Museum is its collection of original ritual objects: Torah scrolls, Kiddush cups, and Chanukah menorahs offer a deeply personal glimpse into the religious and social traditions photographs, and first-hand accounts make the past tangible in profoundly human terms. The Synagogue also houses one of the few remaining Art Nouveau Torah arks in the world – an architectural rarity of exceptional beauty. For those who pause and listen, the museum speaks in quiet, intimate tones: of people who once strolled along the Passer River, stayed in refined spa hotels, and helped shape Merano’s cultural life. And of those who, even in the face of adversity, preserved their faith, their stories, and their community.
Today, the Jewish Museum is not only a place of remembrance – it is a space of dialogue and cultural exchange. Alongside guided tours, it hosts regular events that bridge the past and the present, inviting reflection and connection. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Merano, this quiet and remarkable place is a must. Tucked between the Passer Promenade and the Kurhaus, it reveals a chapter of history as moving as it is essential.
Water is the main theme at the visitor center aquaprad. After entering the facility, visitors can hear and see water. About 30 local fish species can be seen in fourteen spectacular tanks. In an impressive manner, visitors will receive insight into the local fish fauna – from mountain streams to rivers, from high mountain lakes to the floodplain.
The Nature Park Visitor Center of Villnöss brings visitors closer to nature and is the perfect place to dwell on. A walkable aerial photo gives visitors a bird‘s eye perspective of the Puez-Geisler Nature Park. The exhibition area “Touch the mountains” focuses on the key topic - the geology of the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park has been designated the “Dolomites site office” because it is home to all of the rock types, deposits and weathering that are typically found in the Dolomites. The Puez-Geisler Nature Park in the Dolomites is estendet on a area of the 3 valleys: Gadertal valley, Gröden valley and Villnöss valley. The “Nature’s treasure trove” on the second floor contains plenty to discover: animal fur, bird’s eggs, feathers, footprints, droppings, teeth, antlers, medicinal herbs … all of which - and much more - is on display and can be touched! The “Conquering Mountains” room is primarily dedicated to alpinism. The world’s probably most famous alpinist, Reinhold Messner, comes from Villnöss. He talks about his experiences in the mountains in a short film. The “Puez-Geisler Nature Park film” is also shown daily in the mountain cinema. Leave your stress at home, discover the world of the mountains, and feel like a hunter in the woods.
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 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.
At the car park in Kasern, at the very end of the Ahrntal valley, you’ll find the information point of the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park, housed in a modern, minimalist wooden structure that blends beautifully with the alpine surroundings.
On the ground floor, a lovingly curated exhibition introduces the local craftsmanship and agriculture of the upper Ahrntal. You’ll also discover an overview of South Tyrol’s nature parks. A 3D relief map provides orientation – and the panoramic view of the valley’s end will spark your wanderlust.
The lower floor features a magical, interactive exhibition that immerses visitors in the fascinating world of the remote Prettau valley.
The film “Prettauer Leben” (Life in Prettau) gives voice to the local people and their stories.
At the heart of the exhibition are four cross-border hiking routes that showcase the region’s natural and cultural richness.
In the cinema room, a short film offers a stunning glimpse of the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park, while “Panorama Prettau” captures the majestic high-mountain landscapes in breathtaking images.
The Laas Marble World invites you to experience the legendary Lasa marble with all your senses. Surrounded by the impressive nature of the Vinschgau Valley/Val Venosta, visitors learn about the history of this special stone, from its historical beginnings of quarrying in the Jennwand, a mountain above Laas/Lasa, to the arduous transport on the unique inclined railway and the modern processing technology of today.
History comes alive in the Laas Marble World. Numerous display boards bear testament to the hard work of the quarrymen and the skilful processing techniques that have made Lasa marble world-famous. A particular highlight is the sculpture park, where impressive works of art made from the gleaming white marble can be admired.
In addition to its fascinating history, the marble world also offers a place of rest and recreation. Shady seating and elegant marble tables invite you to linger. There is a marble sandpit for younger visitors while those interested can try their hand at carving a block of marble themselves.
Sanitary facilities and fresh drinking water are available on site to make your stay as pleasant as possible. The Laas Marble World is an experience for the whole family: a place where nature, culture, and craftsmanship come together in a special way.
Admission: 4.00 euros per adult and 2.00 euros per child aged 6 and over.
Tickets can be purchased directly on site at the ticket machine.
One entry is free with the Südtirol Guest Pass Vinschgau (May – mid-November 2025).
The Plattner farm house in Wolfsgruben is more than 600 years old. The Gramm Family, a mercantile family from Bolzano, has carried out an exemplary restoration of it liaising closely with the provincial historic preservation agency and so, also because of its unique location, it is one of the most picturesque farmsteads in the region. Today it accommodates a bee-keeping museum that illustrates in a lively and vivid way the sweet art of making honey. The magnificent Plattnerhof is the largest private collection of South Tyrol’s beekeeping and it is also a monument of rural architecture and savoir vivre. A nature trail on the picturesque hill near to the house explains the world of bees to visitors.
The Plattner Bienenhof offers various products around bees and honey.
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).