Masterpieces of architecture: the 4 most beautiful museums in South Tyrol

From the impressive diversity of history to contemporary art, South Tyrol offers an impressive selection of museums that inspire visitors from all over the world. In this article, we will explore the four most beautiful museums in South Tyrol and take a fascinating journey through the artistic and historical treasures of this enchanting region.

MMM Corones (Messner Mountain Museum)

A fascinating interplay of nature, culture and architecture is revealed on the summit plateau of Kronplatz at an altitude of 2,275 metres: the Messner Mountain Museum (MMM) Corones. With its breathtaking views, Kronplatz is one of the most beautiful places in the Alps and lies at the intersection of the three unique cultures of South Tyrol – German, Ladin and Italian. While Kronplatz is considered the most successful ski resort in the country in winter, it remains an insider tip with fewer tourists in summer. To change this and make more sustainable use of the lifts, the idea of an impressive viewing platform was born.

Reinhold Messner, the famous South Tyrolean extreme mountaineer and adventurer, learnt about this project and suggested a cultural upgrade: as a counterpoint to the existing “sports hype”, it was to become a place of retreat and experience to traditional alpinism. The renowned architect Zaha Hadid was recruited for this unique project. Known for her free-form architecture based on digital design techniques, she was inspired by nature and the surrounding area. The architectural forms of the museum merge perfectly with the external surroundings.

The MMM Corones impresses not only with its unique architecture, but also with its harmonious integration into the surrounding mountain landscape. The majority of the building is underground in order to minimise the impact on nature and to avoid building on the summit. Zaha Hadid chose concrete as the external and internal cladding material, as it can be perfectly moulded into all conceivable shapes and blends in perfectly with the rock theme, both visually and haptically.

Opening hours summer:
20 May – 5 November
daily 10:00 – 16:00, last admission at 15:30

Opening hours winter:
25 November – end of April
daily 10:00 – 16:00, last admission at 15:30

More information on opening hours and prices at:
www.messner-mountain-museum.it/en/corones/museum/

More Messner Mountain museums in unusual locations:
MMM Firmian, MMM Juval, MMM Dolomites, MMM Ortles, MMM Ripa

Architect:

Zaha Hadid Architects, London

Year:

2015

Lumen Plan de Corones

The fascination for the mountains has been unbroken since time immemorial. With LUMEN, this fascination has found a photographic home: located at the summit of Plan de Corones (in South Tyrol), 1800 square metres are dedicated entirely to mountain photography.

On four floors, LUMEN makes the history of mountain photography from its beginnings to the present day as well as the art of mountain photographers from all over the world tangible. Scientific standards and entertainment are not contradictory – LUMEN shows historical photographs and digital innovations, exciting temporary and special exhibitions as well as spectacular productions. The curated programme is characterised by its interdisciplinary nature: Alpinism, tourism, politics, spirituality and history – the topic of mountains is explored from different perspectives.

A particularly impressive eye-catcher is the “shutter” – a giant screen that can be opened and closed and thus becomes a projection screen. The AlpiNN restaurant combines culinary delights with breathtaking views. An event hall for up to 200 people also offers space for seminars, conferences and events.

The location also says it all: In the middle of the Dolomites – the “most beautiful natural architecture in the world” (Le Corbusier) – the building of the former mountain station of the Kronplatz cable car at 2275m shines in a modern guise. LUMEN thus makes a valuable contribution to utilising the region’s potential all year round and represents added value for the entire area. In the trinity of exhibition – event space – alpine cuisine, LUMEN thus creates a worthy monument to the love of mountain photography – multifaceted and extraordinary, just like the mountains themselves.

Regional partners:
Tyrolean Archive for Photographic Documentation and Art (TAP): competence centre in the field of collecting, digitising and presenting historical photographs
DURST, Bressanone: the world’s leading manufacturer of pioneering production technologies is responsible for the digital reproduction of the exhibited photographs

International partners:
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: leading non-profit organisation that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education and is known for cutting-edge nature photography, among other things
Red Bull Illume: the world’s largest competition for adventure and action sports photography is responsible for the design of the Adrenalin Room for the thematic focus on alpinism/extreme sports

Fratelli Alinari: was founded in Florence in 1852 and is the oldest still existing company in the world dedicated to photography and image communication; with over five million images, the Fratelli Alinari collection is one of the largest photography collections in the world

Catering partner:
Nobert Niederkofler’s COOK THE MOUNTAIN project: the culinary research workshop focussing on alpine gastronomy has found a new home in the AlpiNN restaurant and is formulating innovative mountain cuisine here

Opening hours summer:
20 May – 05 November
daily 10:00 – 16:00, last admission: 15:30

Opening hours winter:
25 November – end of April
daily 10:00 – 16:00, last admission: 15:30

More information on opening hours and prices at:
www.lumenmuseum.it/plan-your-visit

Architect:

Gerhard Mahlknecht, Brunico Stefano D'Elia, Bruneck EM2 Architekten, Brunico Giò Forma, Milano

Year:

2018

Timmelsjoch Pass Museum

The impressive Timmelsjoch Pass Museum at 2,509 metres was built with the aim of crossing borders. The location of this fascinating museum was deliberately chosen: Built on North Tyrolean soil, the imposing structure rises an impressive 16 metres into the South Tyrolean side. When planning the Pass Museum, the renowned South Tyrolean architect Werner Tscholl was inspired by the local rock formations, which lends the museum a unique authenticity.

The Timmelsjoch is a toll pass road that leads from the Ötztal valley in North Tyrol to the Passeiertal valley in South Tyrol. In the past, these valleys were connected by an ancient mule track and smugglers’ path. The “Timmelsjoch Experience” offers five free stations, including Smugglers, Telescope, Garnet, Pass Museum and Footbridge, which provide interesting information about the history, nature, culture, economy and people around the Timmelsjoch. Three of these stations are located in the Passeirertal valley, the footbridge at the toll station in Hochgurgl and the highlight – the Pass Museum – on the Timmelsjoch. All stations are freely accessible and offer a fascinating insight into the history of this unique region.

Inside the pass museum, at Austria’s highest road border crossing, there is an ice cave and a pre-Christian brooch, which show that the pass was used as early as 300 BC. In addition, the museum structure “Timmel Transit” was opened on the South Tyrolean side to mark the 50th anniversary of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road in 2018. This is dedicated entirely to the road construction history of this special panoramic road and is an impressive addition to the pass museum.

Opening hours:
26 May – end of September / mid-October
daily 07:00-20:00r
The High Alpine Road and the Timmelsjoch Pass Museum close in autumn between the end of September and mid-October, depending on weather conditions

Architect:

Werner Tscholl, Laces

Year:

2011

Museion

The Museion, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in Bolzano has a fascinating history dating back to 1985, when it was founded by a private association with the support of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano. It was originally located in Via Sernesi in Bolzano and had the bold purpose of promoting art between Ala in Trentino and Kufstein in North Tyrol from the year 1900 onwards. It was only at the beginning of the 1990s that German and Italian art began to be compared with each other, which ultimately led to the name “Museion” in 1991.

Today, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bolzano is run by the Museion Foundation, which consists of the Museion Association and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and is financed by membership and sponsorship contributions. In 2008, it moved into its impressive, futuristic and light-flooded building near the city centre, which was designed by the Berlin architects KSV Krüger Schuberth Vandreike. The glass façade lends the building transparency and openness and also houses a cosy café.

Museion houses an extensive collection of more than 4,500 works focussing on art and language, the formal language of sculpture as well as a critical examination of the present and positions of non-European artists. However, it sees itself not only as a collection centre for art objects, but also as an international art workshop with an interdisciplinary orientation. The museum appeals to every generation, including young visitors, for whom there are special activity trails or the museum caterpillar, with which the exhibition can be explored in a playful way.

The Museion in Bolzano is a place that enriches the region’s art scene and builds a bridge between the past, present and future. With its impressive collection and modern atmosphere, it attracts visitors of all ages and invites them to discover the fascinating world of contemporary art.

Opening hours:
Tuesdays – Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00, Thursdays until 22:00
Last admission: 30 minutes before closing time
Open all year round