Kirchler Mineral Museum

The Valle Aurina valley is a paradise for mineral enthusiasts. Over time, collector Artur Kirchler amassed around 1,000 fascinating specimens from the High Tauern and the Zillertal Alps, laying the foundation for today's Kirchler Mineral Museum (Mineralienmuseum Kirchler).

The collection is considered one of the most impressive in the entire Eastern Alps. Under the title "Treasures of the Alps", the 300 sqm exhibition presents a wide variety of minerals: from feldspar and fluorite to emerald and even South Tyrol's largest smoky quartz crystals. Naturally, rock crystals, reminiscent of the eternal ice of the glaciers, are also featured. A particular highlight is the "Bergkristallgwindl" (spiralled rock crystal formation) from the Predoi Mine (now a site of the South Tyrol Museum of Mining), an exceptionally rare rock crystal growth formation.

In the multimedia room, you can learn interesting facts about the minerals and their purported healing properties. The exhibition also explores the search for these sparkling stones, formed around 30 million years ago in the depths of the Earth. In the adjoining shop, there is a selection of minerals, healing stones, and silver and gemstone jewellery available as souvenirs.

How to get there: By car, take the Valle Aurina road to the Mineral Museum, located between San Giovanni Aurina and Cadipietra. Parking is available. A bit further up the valley, at Mühlegg, you can catch the bus of the line 450 (Campo Tures-Cadipietra).