Description of the attraction
The Messner Mountain Museum, founded by the Italian climber, who was the first to conquer all 14 "eight-thousanders" in the world, is located in Bolzano in five different locations. The unique project consists of a main museum center based in the Castello Firmian castle and its branches in the Yuval, Dolomites, Ortler and Ripa. All five buildings are connected by a network of trails, which is also part of the project, as well as the magnificent landscapes of South Tyrol that open during the transitions between exhibitions.
As mentioned above, the central core of the Mining Museum is the Castle of Castello Firmiano, aka Sigmundskron, located in the vicinity of Bolzano. The castle was built in the Middle Ages and today houses the museum's headquarters and administrative offices and hosts major events. There is also a small theater that can accommodate up to 200 people. The museum was opened in 2006 after three years of restoration work. I must say that the exterior of the castle as a result of these works remained practically unchanged - the new glass roof and ventilation systems, as well as various cables are not visible from the outside, thanks to the idea of the architect Werner Zoll.
The total area of exhibition halls in Castello Firmiano is about 1100 sq.m. Its main theme is devoted to the history of the emergence and development of mountaineering. Messner wanted to show “what effect the mountains have on a person,” and also to acquaint people with inaccessible peaks and their conquerors. Here you can see paintings, photographs, sculptures, symbolic images and objects, as well as memorabilia from various expeditions, and learn about the impact of mountaineering and mountain tourism on nature and ecosystems. There is also a separate exhibition that tells about the history of the castle itself and South Tyrol.
Another section of the Mining Museum is located in the medieval castle of Yuvale near the town of Naturno, 40 km from Bolzano. The castle is privately owned by Messner and serves as his summer residence. Opened in 1995, the exposition is dedicated to mountains as mystical and spiritual objects and is centered around such spiritual centers as Kailash in Nepal, Fujiyama in Japan, and Ayers Rock in Australia. Here you can also see sculptures of the Buddha, a giant prayer drum, a collection of masks, a tantric room and an expedition hall.
On the Monte Rite mountain between the towns of Cortina d'Ampezzo and Pieve di Cadore in a fort during the First World War, the third part of the Messner Mining Museum - MMM Dolomites is located. This "museum in the clouds" was opened in 2002 and is dedicated to the Dolomites.
The fourth section of the museum is located underground between the towns of Ortler and Sulden. Since its opening in 2004, it acquaints visitors with the history of the development of skiing, rock climbing, and also tells about the history of the development of the Arctic and Antarctic. The exposition has a total area of 300 sq. M. you can see real eternal ice and even find yourself inside a glacier. There, in Sulden, there is a tiny old house with an area of only 12 square meters, which displays portraits of 13 legendary climbers, including Reinhold Messner himself.
Finally, the last section of the Mining Museum - MMM Ripa - is located in the Bruneck castle near the town of the same name. This is an interactive exhibition, which involves the exchange of views and impressions between all mountain lovers, and also tells about the interaction of climbers and ordinary inhabitants of mountain areas.
