Museums are always a good idea

Dusty and boring? To be perfectly honest, this is how many of us imagine museums, even though they have long since become far more entertaining. These days a museum visit is more exciting than ever before and many promise rich interactive experiences. The following is a selection of exciting museums sure to thrill both adults and children alike!

The MuseumPasseier in the Passeiertal valley

Ever heard of Puandlkroomer, Moutsch or Kuipuan? Don’t worry; most South Tyroleans haven’t either. At the MuseumPasseier at the Sandhof inn, the birthplace of Andreas Hofer, discover the exciting history of how a bearded innkeeper and cattle dealer became a freedom fighter. Along the way, you’ll also learn a few words of South Tyrolean dialect for good measure.

Correctly identify the meaning of seldom-used dialect expressions while training your pronunciation skills at interactive stations. For example, an audio station at the entrance checks whether you can pronounce the name of the main town of the valley correctly in local dialect (German skills required). Will you pass the "Psairer Test"? Find out for yourself!


The Touriseum at Trauttmansdorff Castle in Meran

Travel back in time and experience 200 years of tourism history in a region steeped in history. Trauttmansdorff Castle was once a favourite holiday destination for Empress Sissi in Meran. The former residence has since been converted into an entertaining adventure museum called Touriseum - The South Tyrolean State Museum of Tourism.

Each room has been carefully planned with attention to detail, offering plenty of surprises, life-size figures, detailed models, staged backdrops, a small children's hotel, and much more. The Südtirolspiel, probably the largest pinball machine in the world, is a special highlight. A Val Gardena artist carved this 10-m ‘tourist pinball machine’ from stone pine. The ball, which represents the tourist, sets off on a journey to various attractions in South Tyrol.

The Eisenbahnwelt railway museum in Rabland featuring a South Tyrol in miniature exhibition

Rabland's mini railway world is simply fantastic. The detailed miniature landscapes and model railways are the source of nearly endless fascination. In the children's corner, visitors of all ages can conduct a train: the fantasy of countless children around the world come true!

South Tyrol's key attractions, such as the numerous forts situated between the Brennerbad and Mals/Malles in the Vinschgau valley, have also been integrated with great attention to detail into this fantastic railway scene at a scale of 1:87 (H0). This reconstructed world in miniature appears particularly realistic thanks to special lighting.
By the way: The Eisenbahnwelt railway museum in Rabland features the largest model railway in Italy. The miniature rail network features an astounding 800 metres of tracks. The more than 20,000 model railways represent one of Europe’s largest private collections.


The Lahnersäge in the Ultental valley

Can you recognise the roar of a stag? Do you know what objects and other materials Ötzi carried with him? These and many other questions are the subject of the "Mythos Wald" exhibition at the Lahnersäge National Park Headquarters in the Ultental valley. The park museum also covers numerous topics revolving around the Stilfserjoch National Park as well.

Experience what it’s like to saw a tree trunk on a restored Venetian saw and grind grain in an old mill.


The archeoParc in the Schnalstal valley

Don’t miss the informative archeoParc, which is located below Ötzi’s discovery site in the Schnalstal valley. Across three floors at the visitor’s centre, be amazed by impressive facts about the discovery of the iceman and learn how Ötzi lived some 5,300 years ago.

Check out the Stone Age settlement that was reconstructed in the open-air area. Here, visitors can try out Stone-Age techniques at various themed stations and along a forest educational trail.
Are you up to the challenge? Light a fire without modern tools, hit the target during archery, or test your balance on a narrow bridge?

Children are invited to make their own leather bracelets, grind flour, bake their own bread or to imagine Ötzi’s appearance. What did the iceman look like during his lifetime? Try to find out and embark on an exciting journey into the past.


The fruit tree museum in Lana

In the fruit tree museum, fruit growing in the past and present is introduced and children are guided around the room in a playful way by a bee while they carry out activities to solve the questions.

Old handicraft tools, which were used for fruit growing, can also be found. In addition, videos are shown and stories are told on display boards.