Beekeeping Museum at the Plattner Farm

Even getting to the Beekeeping Museum at the Plattner Farm (Imkereimuseum Plattner Bienenhof) is a wonderful adventure. If you're not already holidaying in Soprabolzano, take the Renon Cable Car from Bolzano. Enjoy breathtaking views of the South Tyrolean mountains as you ascend to the plateau. At Soprabolzano station, you'll find South Tyrol's last functioning narrow-gauge railway, the Renon Railway. It will take you to Lake Costalovara below the Plattner Farm (and onwards to Collalbo). First documented in 1406, the old farmstead boasts a rich 600-year history.

It represents a rare farmhouse typology, combining living quarters and farm buildings into a single structure. Restored by the Gramm merchant family of Bolzano, the farm has been transformed into a museum. Since 1991, amidst idyllic surroundings, the museum has showcased the history and evolution of beekeeping. Exhibits include historical beehives, honey extractors, and wax presses. The outdoor area, with its magnificent farmhouse garden, features an educational trail winding past historical apiaries and offering fascinating information.

The trail leads up to Hill of Saint Ambrose, a scenic viewpoint with rest facilities. Inside the Plattnerhof, you'll find historical rooms such as the hallway, the courtroom, the smokehouse, and the cosy wood-panelled living room, called Stube. The shop rounds off your visit perfectly: South Tyrolean honey, jams, pollen, and beeswax soaps make excellent souvenirs.

How to get there: The Renon Railway stops in Costalovara just a short walk from the Beekeeping Museum at the Plattner Farm. Parking is also available. Nearby, you'll find the Funimal Forest, a theme path dedicated to the animals of the woods.