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The “Messner Mountain Museum Firmian” at Castle Firmian/Sigmundskron

The South Tyrolean National Monument Castle Firmian/Sigmundskron is one of the most ancient castles in the region as well as the site of one of Reinhold Messner’s “mountain museums” dedicated to the relationship between man and mountain.

The South Tyrolean National Monument Castle Firmian/Sigmundskron is one of the most ancient castles in the region as well as the site of one of Reinhold Messner’s “mountain museums” dedicated to the relationship between man and mountain.

The "MMM Firmian" is the jewel of the famous mountaineer’s project. In addition to the history of the castle dating back to 945 AD and presented in the White Tower, Messner depicts, through various exhibitions, the Alps in art and painting, as well as the history and myths of mountains around the world and their people.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: 8 € per person, 6 € for groups (over 15 people), students and seniors, 3 € for children (aged 6 to 14), 18 € for families.

For further information click on www.messner-mountain-museum.it

Schloss Sigmundskron: built on porphyrite stone to the south of Bozen, Schloss Sigmundskron is one of the oldest castles in South Tyrol.

History: first mentioned in 945 as Formicaria. In 1027, the German emperor gave the bishop of Trient the duchy of Trient and the earldom of Bozen. From this time it was the seat of the governors and used for all high court hearings. It was therefore necessary to extend the castle in the 12th and 13th centuries. From here, all traffic on the rivers could easily be controlled. The way into Eppan, until the first bridge was built in 1200, could easily be closed and all traffic stopped. In 1473 the castle came into the hands of Sigmund den Münzenreich, who promptly had the castle renovated, and renamed it Schloss Sigmundskron. Shortly afterwards, Sigmund got into financial difficulties and had to pawn his castle. Slowly but surely, castle decayed as nobody lived in it. The next important date was 1957 when the demonstration against “Verwelschungsbestrebungen” (freedom from Trient) and not keeping to the Paris Treaty, took place. In 1976 a catering family renovated part of the castle and opened it as a restaurant. At the moment the restaurant is closed. Architectural style: the main part of the castle is high Middle Aged style. The narrow truce in the lower castle shows signs of late Gothic style. The living tower with its arched doorways and arched windows dates from the 13th century. You can see two towers in the 5 m thick wall of the upper castle, as well as living quarters and working quarters on the farm that are now the restaurant. Peculiarities: the upper and lower castles are separated by a rock formation, a natural barrier so that the people didn’t have to meet too often. The Duke Sigmund had stonemasons decorate his castle, he wanted to be his best show piece. The different sizes of the loopholes are not normal for this period.

Walking: Schloss Sigmund is easily reached by car and from here there are walks to Girlan and the Montiggler Lakes through vineyards and woods. A path well worth following is the 1a from Girlan past the Jesuheim to Schloss Sigmund. The castle and the grounds are closed to the public at the moment.