South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology (Archäologiemuseum)

The museum offers an exciting journey into the Alpine prehistoric era. Models, reconstructions, room images, videos, and interactive multimedia stations provide a sophisticated and entertaining insight into the past. Integrated into the historical context, the "Man from the Ice," popularly known as "Ötzi," and his accompanying finds form the central exhibition complex. The extraordinary and widely known glacier mummy from the Copper Age and the numerous, extremely well-preserved accompanying finds provide a unique insight into the living conditions of a Neolithic person.

The spectrum of presented finds ranges from the Old Stone Age to the Carolingian period. With the help of models, reconstructions, detailed room images, vivid videos, and interactive multimedia stations, visitors are taken on a journey through the early history of the southern Alpine region. The exhibits are organized diachronically, with the era of Ötzi located on the first floor and finds from the Roman period and the Migration Period on the third floor.

The museum itself has a fascinating history: The building on Museumstraße, originally built just before World War I as the seat of the Austrian National Bank, served as the Bolzano branch of the Italian National Bank (Banca d'Italia) from 1919 until the 1990s. After extensive renovation work, the Archaeological Museum opened its doors to the public in 1998. Interestingly, Museumstraße was already named in 1901 after the neighboring Bolzano City Museum, which opened in 1905 and housed some of the prehistoric exhibits before the establishment of the Archaeological Museum. The collection of the Archaeological Museum was completed by bringing together finds from all over South Tyrol.

Thus, the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum not only stands for the presentation of exceptional archaeological finds, but also for the complex history of its location and the cultural interconnection of South Tyrol. It offers a unique platform to explore the past and discover the fascinating stories that the archaeological finds have to tell.

For those who wish to visit the museum, here are the most important information:

• Address: Museumstraße 43, 39100 Bolzano
• Guided tours or visits are possible by appointment
• Phone: +39 0471 320100
• Website: www.iceman.it