The Wine Museum was founded in 1955 as the first wine museum south of the Alps. Now it is part of the Ethnographic Museum of Theodon near Bruneck. The Wine Museum is located in the old wine cellars in the centre of Caldaro, on the Wine Road. A visit to this museum helps to understand the significance of wine for the popular culture of South Tyrol. In order to complete the picture of South Tyrol's wine tradition, a visit to the wine cellars is also recommended.

The Val d'Ultimo Museum was opened in 1973 in the old school building of San Nicolò. The museum presents history, customs and traditions and offers a complete overview of the development of folk art and rural culture in the valley. Beside old handicrafts and various furnishing objects, the museum offers the visitor the reconstruction of rooms and views of rural life. A part of the museum is also dedicated to the rich fauna of Val d'Ultimo.

The evolution of the typewriter is one of the most interesting chapters in the history of technology. Without this tool one could not even imagine our current economic, cultural and private life. The Museum's collection contains more than 1,400 examples, dating back to the period between 1864 and 1980, exhibited on the four floors of the museum. Particular emphasis is given to the prototypes of the inventor Peter Mitterhofer of Parcines, to whom the Municipality of Parcines has dedicated the museum itself.

Castle Tirolo, the castle of the Counts of Tyrol, is today the seat of the Museum of Cultural History of the Province of Bolzano. The permanent exhibition is supplemented by temporary exhibitions that change annually.

The castle
Castle Tirolo, whose first construction phase dates back to the 11th century, was the place that gave its name to the kingdom of Tyrol that was being built in the 13th century. The rich cultural and historical treasures of the castle are linked to these years of economic and cultural splendour: the two marble portals with rich decorations, as well as the chapel with frescoes from the 14th century, are worth a visit on their own.

The museum 
In the temple located in the Southern Palace we immerse ourselves in the world of archaeology. Here are presented the finds found in the Alps and showing human traces dating back to the 7th century BC. Along the route from the Emperor's Hall to the Eastern Palace, we find various facets of the medieval era. Even the history of the construction of the castle itself is described in every detail, also thanks to the aid of a computer simulation that superimposes the different phases of construction. The keep is dedicated to the history of the 20th century in which we learn about, among other things, the history of the region from 1898 to 1992.

In the south of Bolzano, firmly perched on a porphyry rock, lies the vast fortress of Firmiano Castle. It is one of the oldest and largest castles in South Tyrol.

Mentioned for the first time in 945, the late-medieval building - at the time still under the aegis of the name Formicaria - can count on a particularly eventful history. Emperor Conrad II gave the fortress to the Bishop of Trento in 1027. In the 12th century it passed to the Ministries, which from that moment on acquired the name of Firmiani. In 1446, Duke Sigismund of Austria, known as the Moneylender, assumed the regency of Tyrol and Lower Austria. In 1473 he bought the fortress and transformed it into a majestic, spacious and safe complex. Only a few parts of the ancient castle of Formicaria were preserved. It was the prince who gave the fortress the name Firmiano Castle, which in the original German version reveals a much more significant imprint: "Sigmundskron's Crown" (Sigmundskron). Ironically, it was precisely because of financial difficulties that Sigismondo had to mortgage the castle.

In the following centuries, the fortress frequently changed owners and gradually fell into ruin. Finally, in 1996 it became the property of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and seven years later, Reinhold Messner was granted the concession to open the long-planned Mountain Museum. The Messner Mountain Museum in Firmiano was opened in 2006.

The fortress of Firmiano is a political symbol of great importance for South Tyrol: it was here that the protest "Los von Trient!" ("Away from Trento!") led by Silvius Magnago took place in 1957. The event claimed the breach of the Treaty of Paris and gave rise to the request for a strong autonomy at provincial level.

In 1980 the Schmid family set up this private museum in four large rooms of Rametz Castle. On the ground floor and in the cellars of the rural building are exhibited old wine-growing equipment. The partly forgotten and out of use tools have been collected, restored and catalogued by the Schmid family over decades of meticulous work. The collection includes tools for working the soil, harvesting, winemaking and transporting grapes, as well as the oldest means of pest control.

The museum also exhibits equipment for wheat growing and grain processing. Since 2007, the traditional production of speck is also presented with images and antique objects. The visit to the museum continues through the historic cellars built with porphyry stones, the modern wine cellar and ends with a wine tasting.

The history of Scena Castle began almost 650 years ago. Built in the 14th century, extended several times until the 18th century, the castle was finally purchased by Archduke John of Habsburg in 1845. Its descendants, the Counts of Merano, are the current owners of the castle who still live there. Regular guided tours offer a broad overview of the rich collections of Archduke Johann, dedicated to Tyrolean history, culture and art. The focus is on the collection of historic weapons, original furniture, paintings by famous European artists, portraits of various Habsburgs and the Counts of Merano, but above all on the extensive private collection starring Andreas Hofer.

On the first three floors of the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology you can admire the original findings of the Iceman - also known as Ötzi - and his history. On the top floor of the museum there is an annual temporary exhibition dedicated to archaeological themes.

A full tour of the museum takes about 1-2 hours. For parents with children between 6 and 11 years old, these visits are a special opportunity to discover the world of the Iceman. Through a playful and engaging approach, young visitors will learn about everyday life in the Copper Age, as well as the materials and function of the various objects and clothing found with Ötzi. 

In the European Union one tenth of apple production comes from South Tyrol; of this 10%, 1% is produced in the territory of Lana. Here the Museum of Fruit Growing houses an extensive documentation of the historical development and the current situation of fruit growing. On approx. 1,000 square metres of exhibition space, in the medieval Larchgut building, the museum offers an informative and entertaining meeting about an important area of our culture.

The Women's Museum, located in the centre of Merano, describes the history of women through fashion, clothes, accessories and everyday objects. On display are a selection of clothing and curious objects that reflect society from the past to the present. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions and events specifically focused on women, exploring the theme of women's role and the ideal of women. Inside the museum there is also a special dedicated library.