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 eldest 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.

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 to 8 pm

The Lake Kaltern The Mediterranean landscape around Lake Kalterer See leads many to the correct assumption that this lake really is the warmest lake in the Alps! There are four public beaches that offer direct access to the lake, known for its especially inviting water quality and colorful splendor! Sometimes it’s a tint of deep blue, other times it mirrors the green of the surrounding landscape! And Lake Kalterer See is so versatile: row boats, sailboats, pedal boats and surf boards glide across the water. Yet it’s so incredibly tranquil here. For sure you’ll hear the sound of children’s laughter; after all, this is their little corner of paradise. Quite simply, it’s beautiful in the lake, on the lake and all around the lake.

Since 1998 injured birds of prey have been cared for on the motte of Tyrol Castle in special aviaries until they are healthy and ready to be released back into the wild again. The center also gives a long-term home to birds that are incapable of flying again. Healthy birds are able to fly over the motte every day thanks to the center’s favorable hillside location. Visitors can watch the birds of prey swooping and gliding during twice-daily flight demonstrations.
Experts Willy Campei and Florian Gamper are also on hand to tell visitors about the birds’ lives and their part in the cycle of nature, as well as important protection measures.
Visitors can learn about the fascinating life of birds of prey in this wonderful landscaped setting with integrated educational trails.

This incredible collection covers some 1,000 sq.mt. and extends over three floors. Older and younger visitors marvel at the model engines and coaches and can take turns driving some of them themselves. The nearby South Tyrol in Miniature Landscapes Museum is also a real hit. The railway museum, with over 20.000 exhibits, is one of Europe’s largest private model railway collections.

 

The mighty buildings of Castle Schenna just above the city of Meran are still partly surrounded by a moat. Using the bridge, you will come to the entrance of Castle Schenna and from there, if you pass the dungeon, you’ll arrive in the courtyard. An open staircase will lead you to the castle chambers. Castle Schenna in South Tyrol is open for guided tours. Only the wing containing the private rooms of the count’s family remains closed to the public. The halls and grand chambers are home to a painting and portrait gallery, a weapons collection, as well as numerous art-historic objects of Tyrolean history.

Guided tours: Tuesday to Friday at 11.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. and every Monday and Thursday guided evening tours at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday closed.

Raffeiner Orchideenwelt offers an adventure, not only to orchid lovers, but for families too.

More than 12,000 plants have been embedded in the “jungle” on over 6,000 square meters of greenhouse space. Visitors can expect more than 500 different types of orchids, which offer a true natural spectacle of colors, shapes and fragrances.

But not only the uniqueness of the exotic beauties will fascinate our visitors, but the whole structure of the greenhouse: A lake landscape colored due to the Koi carp. Over a bridge you will geht to the other shore, passing a waterfall that awakens real holiday feelings.

Children are given space to play and different areas to learn playfully about orchids. All people, who want to know more about this flower can have a look into the orchid production.

 

The tropical villa with a beautiful pond, where orchids swim their tracks, invites you to linger. It could also be your very special event. Whether romantic or business – ideal for everyone.

In the ORCHIDEA, an eventful tour can best be concluded with a piece of homemade cake or a small delicacy prepared with love.
Whether on a tour on your own or in a group with a guided tour – you will feel our philosophy: to give joy to people with extraordinary and magnificent orchids from South Tyrol.

Explore the Raffeiner orchid world and be enchanted!

 

360° digital tour: https://360.livingtour.it/de/vt/Orchideenwelt-MondoOrchidee

archeoParc Schnalstal Valley – Get in touch with the world of the Iceman. South Tyrol’s first hands-on archaeology museum is distinguished by its unconventional architecture. In terms of construction, form and material, the low-energy museum building is a homage to the Neolithic originals that archaeology has unearthed, and covers an imaginary vista sweeping through Tisental up to Tisenjoch. Depicted along the way are topics ranging from the oldest human traces in the alpine region to the Iceman and his lifestyle and economic adaptation. Life-size house models based on the archaeological evidence convey an idea of how our forebears lived.

The Naturno Adventure Pool offers an indoor pool (31°) with 51mt. long slide, wave channel, under-water jets, massage beds and Whirlpool (36 degrees), children’s pool and play area, an open-air pool with 75 mt. long slide, under-water jets, water fountains, small children’s pool, extensive sun-bathing lawns and play ground, spacious sauna area with Finnish sauna, steam bath, bio sauna, water beds, smaller pools, Kneipp pools, fresh-air and sun-bathing area, a selection of massages available at any time on request and a whirl- and solebath (sole bath contains 2% salt – it’s about the salt level of the Atlantic ocean).
On public holidays and school holidays (acc. Italian school calendar) apply the following opening hours:
Indoor swimming pool: Monday – Sunday 10. 00 – 21. 30 (no day off)
Sauna: Monday – Sunday 12. 00 – 22. 00 (no day off)

Situated in the heart of Meran, Terme Meran is a place of wellbeing and health featuring 25 indoor and outdoor pools, a 2,200 square-metre sauna area, and the thoroughly modern MySpa.
A fitness centre, various culinary spots and changing cultural and musical events at the Terme square round off the offerings.

In the new playground near the ropeway mountain station, junior explorers practice their balance, strength and agility for their next mountain adventure!

From May to September – free access.

Features in the Outdoor Kids Camp:

> a race track incl. stopwatch
> a double aerial runway
> climbing logs and slides
> a wobbly rug
> a wobbly agility trail
> slacklines (several difficulty levels)
> ground-level trampolines
> a small beginners’ climbing wall
> bouncy horses for infants
> a bird’s nest swing
> NEW Rolling Ball

Art and nature have been blending since 2001 at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, set in a natural amphitheatre on the eastern outskirts of Merano, with more than 80 garden landscapes from around the world and several unique Experience Stations, including ten Artist Pavillions and a spectacular viewing platform designed by star architect Matteo Thun, in addition to attractions the Botanical Underworld and a „Lovers’ Garden“.

For this gorgeous picture and the innovating spirit that lies behind its conception, Trauttmansdorff was named Italy’s Most Beautiful Garden in 2005 and Europe’s No. 6 Garden in 2006. Its subsequent crowning as International Garden of the Year in 2013 launched this unique complex in the firmament of world’s most beautiful gardens and parks.

In 2021, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle will celebrate their 20th anniversary and biodiversity will reign supreme there. In keeping with the theme of “Diversity,” the Gardens will be showing how important biological diversity is for humanity, animals and plants.

Trauttmansdorff Castle sits enthroned in the centre of the gardens: this imposing structure, where Empress Elisabeth would come to stay during the winter, now houses the South Tyrol Museum of Tourism, a.k.a. Touriseum.

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Planned opening hours (latest admittance always an hour and a half before closing time):

• May 29th – July 23rd: open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
• July 24th – August 14th: from Saturday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; on Fridays 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• August 15th – October 15th: open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (latest admittance at 5.30 p.m.);
• October 16th – 31st: open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
• November 1st – 8th: open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 15 metres above the ground, you will move from tree to tree, from one obstacle to another. Dizzying but fascinating at the same time. Once you are at the top, you will experience a unique panorama. Admire the impressive mountains from high up, where your view will take in the massif of Ortles, to the Tessa mountain group to the Stubai Alps. This unique panorama makes the Taser high ropes course one of most fascinating in the area.

Year-round mountain coaster fun on rails: The 1.1 km white-knuckle ride starts at Pivigna, the mountain station of both the ropeway and the Falzeben gondola lift. From there, the whole family is sent whizzing down the hillside in just a few minutes – at times up to twelve metres above the ground. Guaranteed thrills for all ages! After their speedy descent, the brave lugers are gently pulled back up to the starting point in their toboggans.
Upon request, all bold and courageous bobsledders can pick up a souvenir photo at the starting point of the track.

SCHEDULE SUMMER
Daily: 10.00-16.30
High season: 10.00-17.15

SCHEDULE WINTER
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11.00-16.30 (Mon-
Thu closed)
High season: 10.00-16.30

ATTENTION: no reservation needed – except for groups.

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 – December: every first Sunday of each month with free entry

The Museum of Nature South Tyrol lies in the ancient administrative Headquarters of the Emperor of Austria, Maximilian the First. The variety of South Tyrolean landscape is exhibited on a surface of 100 square metres, with special regard to the Birth of the Dolomites. The main attraction is the marine aquarium, as well as the temporary exhibitions.

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.