Museum of the Ortles Region

Located on the basement of the primary school in Solda, the Museum of the Ortles Region (Museum für das Ortlergebiet) illuminates the history and culture of the this wonderful piece of land in the Upper Val Venosta from various perspectives. The extensive collection of exhibits was compiled, sorted, and partially restored by Konrad Knoll. The museum's setup was designed and financed on a voluntary basis by the museum association. Among other things, the exhibits recount the centuries-old history of tourism in the region.

Due to its unique location at almost 1,900 metres above sea level, Solda attracted mountaineers early on. The village is surrounded by the almost 4,000-metre-high mountains Zebrù, Gran Zebrù, and Ortles. The history of the mountain huts in the Stelvio National Park, as well as the people who have shaped Solda, also find their place in the museum. Did you know that the Ortles was first climbed on September 27, 1804, by Josef Pichler from the Val Venosta valley, along with Johann Leitner and Johann Klausner from the Zillertal valley?

A masterful achievement for the time, carried out at the behest of Archduke John of Austria. A special exhibition is dedicated to the period of the First World War from 1915 to 1918, a historically significant era for South Tyrol. In those years, the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary ran, often through rock and ice, from the Stelvio Pass over the Ortles to the northern part of Lake Garda. A collection of minerals from the Ortles Alps completes the museum visit.

In Solda, you'll also find two other museums dedicated to the region and alpinism: the small Alpine Curiosa Museum, a former mountaineering lodge, and the MMM Ortles. How to get to the Museum of the Ortles Region? It is located in the village centre. Parking is available in front of the primary school. A bus stop for line 271 (Sluderno-Solda) is situated near the tourist office.