South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, Archaeological museum in Bolzano, Italy.
The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano is a three-story building devoted to prehistoric history and displays centered on a 5,300-year-old mummy. The rooms are arranged to show everyday objects, tools, and clothing from the Copper Age period.
The museum opened in 1998 following the remarkable discovery in 1991 of a naturally preserved human body in the Alps near the Austrian-Italian border. This exceptional find became the foundation for this research and exhibition center.
The museum's name and focus center on Ötzi, the prehistoric individual whose remains draw visitors from around the world. The displays show how Copper Age people lived, worked, and dressed, with personal items from that distant time telling their stories.
Visits are possible on most days, but it makes sense to check the exact hours beforehand as they vary depending on the season. It is also wise to allow enough time to explore all three floors and the different exhibition areas at a comfortable pace.
The body is stored in a specialized chamber under extreme conditions to preserve the tissue across millennia. This carefully controlled environment is necessary to keep one of the world's most valuable archaeological finds intact.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
