South Tyrol Museum of Nature

The museum is the only provincial museum of natural history and thus the central collection and documentation centre for natural history objects in the region. It is part of the Provincial Museums of South Tyrol, an independent body. You'll find the museum in the Administrative Building of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, at the northeastern edge of the Old Town of Bolzano, a Gothic building from the 16th century. He once used it to administer his revenues.

A fascinating journey through the natural and cultural history of South Tyrol awaits you. The permanent exhibition shows how the unique mountain and valley landscapes, with their diverse habitats, were formed and what they look like today. Models and installations provide detailed insights, while children can playfully explore nature through experiments. The exhibition is divided into two main areas: the geology of South Tyrol and the region's typical habitats. Highlights include the living ant colony and the 9,000-litre coral reef aquarium with its adjoining jellyfish aquarium.

It offers a vivid impression of what a coral reef might have looked like in the Triassic period, some 230 million years ago. Back then, where the Dolomites now rise, a shallow, tropical sea stretched out. Lectures, special exhibitions on the ground floor, and activities for children - including overnight stays and birthday parties - round out the museum's programme.

How to get to the South Tyrol Museum of Nature (Naturmuseum Südtirol): The Via Bottai road is located near the Arcades of Bolzano. Parking spaces around the old town, the bus stop at the Piazza Walther square, and the train station are about a 10-minute walk away.