Touriseum, Tourism history museum at Trauttmansdorff Castle, Merano, Italy.
The Touriseum is a museum within Trauttmansdorff Castle dedicated to the history of tourism in this Alpine region, displaying objects spanning two centuries. The collection includes vintage travel posters, transportation models, historical clothing, and personal items that show how people once journeyed and relaxed in this part of South Tyrol.
The museum opened in 2003 and uses the spaces within Trauttmansdorff Castle, which became a popular destination for wealthy European travelers during the 1800s. The collection documents how this region gradually transformed from a remote mountain landscape into a recognized spa resort and holiday destination.
The name Touriseum reflects how the castle and its grounds have shifted from a royal retreat to a space dedicated to telling the story of travel and leisure in this mountain region. You can see how visitors used to arrive by carriage and later by train, with photographs and objects showing how people gradually discovered and transformed this corner of the Alps into a destination.
The museum is part of the castle and can only be visited from March through November, with admission covering both the museum and the adjacent castle gardens. Plan for at least two to three hours to explore both areas, and wear comfortable shoes since the gardens are hilly.
The collection preserves personal items that once belonged to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who regularly came to this town to rest. This royal connection reveals how Merano became a refuge for European nobility and marked the start of modern tourism development in the region.
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