Even in our region it rains sometimes, you may want to relax after an exhausting hiking tours, in South Tyrol there are many possibilities for recreation and cultural events.

Prösels Castle

Prösels Castle proudly stands facing the imposing massif of the Schlern, across from the village Völs am Schlern (Fiè allo Scilar). First mentioned in the 13th cen., the fortress was the residence of the lords of Völs-Colonna, and around 1517 it was rebuilt by them into a prestigious castle complex with the most modern defense technology of the period. Since 1981 it has been owned by the 'Kuratorium Schloß Prösels GmbH' (Prösels Castle Curatorship Ltd.), which took care of the necessary restoration work and gave the castle new life. In addition to the tours, numerous cultural events are held here during the summer months. Among the highlights are the arms collection with material from the 19th cen., including from the battlefields of Solferino and Custoza, and the Batzenhäusl Collection, with paintings and drawings from the 19th and 20th cen., when the Batzenhäusl inn in Bolzano (Bozen) was a favorite meeting place for artists and intellectuals.

Address:
Prösels 21
39050 Völs (Fiè)
Tel.0471/601062

opening hours: daily (except Sat)
May, October: at 11, 2, 3
June, September: at 11, 2, 3, 4
July, August: at 10, 11, 3, 4, 5
after October 31 by reservation

South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

The Provincial Museum of Archeology was inaugurated in 1998. In addition to its permanent exhibit 'The Iceman', it documents the prehistory and early history of South Tyrol from the end of the last Ice Age (about 15,000 BC) to the time of Charlemagne (around 800 AD). The museum offers an exciting trip through prehistoric times in the Alps. Relief models, reconstructions, stereoscopic images, videos, and interactive multimedia stations all make the journey back in time believable and, at the same time, entertaining. Inserted into the historical context, the heart of the exhibit is 'The Iceman', also known as 'Ötzi', and the objects found with him. The internationally famous mummy from the Copper Age and the numerous, extremely well-preserved objects found with him provide a unique view of the way of life thousands of years ago.

opening hours:
open year round
Tue-Sun, holidays 10-6 (last admission at 5:30)
July, August, December
daily 10-6 (last admission at 5.30)
closed on Jan. 1, May 1, Dec. 25

Also closed in 2009
February 23 - March 10
October 26 - November 5

South Tyrol Museum of Natural History

The palace that today houses the Provincial Museum of Natural History was formerly the administrative office building of Emperor Maximilian I. The natural and environmental history of South Tyrol is exhibited on two floors with an area of about 1,000 sq. m. (11,000 sq. ft.) Interesting featured exhibitions are displayed on the ground floor (about 200 sq. m. / 2,200 sq. ft.) There are also instructional events. The itinerary through the exhibit takes the form of a journey through time, assisted by models, dioramas, experiments, and multimedia stations that shed light on the geological history of South Tyrol and the formation and development of the natural habitat.

Address:
Bindergasse 1
39100 Bozen (Bolzano)
Tel.0471/412960
    
opening hours:open year round
Tue-Sun, holidays 10-6,
classes from 9 am (by reservation)
closed on Jan. 1, May 1, Dec. 25

Steinegg Museum

With the construction of the new Steinegg (Collepietra) parish church in 1986-88, a village museum was established on three floors under the church with a total area of 1,000 sq. m. (11,000 sq. ft.) were reserved for a museum. Members of the Museum Society that was founded at that time purposefully searched throughout the entire area of the community for articles from their professions. Thus, in a short time, a very extensive collection on all typical topics of the local history came into being, one that is absolutely worth seeing. Topics include the history of the village, traditional costumes, religious and secular folk art, agricultural and household tools, different trades, and home décor. The museum also saved sacred works from the old parish church that were not being used after the renovation.

Address:
Steinegg, Kirchplatz
39050 Karneid (Cornedo)
Tel.0471/376518

opening hours:
Palm Sunday - October 31
Tue-Fri at 10, 11
Sat, Sun, holidays at 3, 4
July - August: also Tue at 8:30 pm
August: - September: also Tue-Sun at 3

Deutschnofen Museum

The precious collection of religious works of art is housed in the tower of Thurn Castle (13th cen.), which was formerly the law court building and today serves as the Deutschnofen (Nova Ponente) town hall. The exhibit includes altar pieces (16th cen.), paintings, and early Baroque statues of saints. The visitor can also view consecration documents, prehistoric discoveries, and a description of the history of settlements in the area of Deutschnofen.

Address:
Schloss-Thurn-Straße 1
39050 Deutschnofen (Nova Ponente)
Tel.0471/617500

opening hours:
January - June, September - December Tue 9-12, Thu 2:30-5
July - August Mon-Fri 9-12, 2:30-5
and by request

Apiculture Museum

At the picturesque Plattner farmhouse, the history and development of beekeeping in South Tyrol are shown. Exhibits include the collection of antique beekeeping baskets and crates, honey centrifuges and presses, and various beekeeper's tools. The bee-related section is shown outdoors with an instructional path leading through an old bee colony. The visitor can view the busy traffic through the exit holes. The visit concludes with a honey tasting.

Address:
Oberbozen, Wolfsgruben 15
39054 Ritten (Renon)
Tel.0471/345350
Fax 0471/345350

opening hours:
Easter - late October
daily 10-6pm

Augustinian Abbey of Neustift

This is one of the most significant monasteries in Tyrol, and the majority of it is open to the public: the Baroque collegiate church with the famous ceiling frescoes by Matthäus Günther, the medieval cloister with frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries, the library with its precious manuscripts, and the art gallery with its impressive collection of Gothic panel paintings (by Friedrich Pacher, Marx Reichlich, and Andreas Haller). After extensive restoration work, the historic gardens were reopened in the summer of 2004. In addition to the unique Baroque gardens with its piscina and aviary, the herb garden boasts around 75 species of local and exotic herbs.

Address:
Stift Neustift, Stiftstraße 1
39040 Vahrn (Varna)
Tel.0472/836189
Fax0472/837305 


opening hours:
open year round
tours Mon-Sat at 10, 11, 2, 3, 4 (10 or more people)
January - March: closed Mon
mid July - mid September: also at 12, 1

Historical Garden:
May 4 - October 16 Mon, Wed, Fri for groups (10 or more) upon request
June 15 - September 18 for individuals
Mon, Wed, Fri at 10.30 (german), 11.30 (italian)