MMM RIPA - CASTELO DI BRUNICO

The castle of Brunico. It is impossible not to be struck by the majestic castle of Brunico from the top of its hill, especially at night when it is illuminated. Built by the bishop of Bressanone, Bruno von Kirchberg (Brunico), in 1250 in the middle of Val Pusteria, it was called "castrum Bruneke". The square crenellated tower with its medieval appearance is impressive. In the ^14th century, the castle and the fortifications were extended and connected. The construction of four city gates, the surrounding walls and the excavated moat strengthened the defensive arsenal of the fort. Over the centuries it was visited by prestigious personalities, including several emperors in the ^16th century, such as Maximilian ^I.

The Messmer Mountain Museum Ripa. The castle has reopened after several years of work to house the second to last of the six museums opened by Reinhold Messner in the Dolomites. This museum is dedicated to the mountain people, hence the name Ripa, from the Tibetan Ri, mountain, and Pa, man. The permanent exhibition explores the ways of life, and even survival, of mountain peoples from Asia, Africa, South America and Europe: Andean Sherpas, Tibetans, Africans, Mongolians, Hunzas... the relationship with man and his life as a herder. The objects, documents and interactive installations reveal this "mountain heritage" at high altitude. From the museum you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Corones plane, the Aurina valley and the Valle di Zillertal.