Touriseum: Provincial Museum of Tourism
Housed in Trauttmansdorff Castle, where Empress Elisabeth once stayed, this museum explores two centuries of Alpine tourism history through immersive exhibitions and interactive displays.
At a glance
The Touriseum occupies the historic Trauttmansdorff Castle, transforming an imperial residence into a living museum of tourism. It is the first museum in the Alps dedicated exclusively to the history of travel and tourism as a cultural phenomenon, presenting the subject from both visitor and local perspectives.
History
Trauttmansdorff Castle was chosen by Empress Elisabeth for her visits to Merano. Following the First World War, owner Friedrich von Deuster was expropriated under Fascism, and the castle became the seat of the Opera Nazionale Combattenti, renamed Castel di Nova after a nearby stream. The building deteriorated significantly during this period, losing most of its original furnishings.
After German occupation during the Second World War, the property passed to the provincial administration in 1977 when the National Combatants Association was dissolved. Extensive restoration began in the 1990s, with the Touriseum opening in 2003. The castle gardens were developed in collaboration with the Pallanca Exotic Garden, while the botanical garden of Merano opened in 2001.
What you see
Rather than traditional museum display cases, the Touriseum employs imaginative scenic settings, mobile installations, and scale models to narrate its story. Films and audio recordings complement the physical spaces, creating an immersive experience that spans two centuries of tourism history.
Cultural significance
The museum examines tourism not as a simple recreational activity but as a complex historical phenomenon that shaped communities and landscapes. By documenting how the Alpine region developed as a destination, the Touriseum illuminates the relationship between tourism, local identity, and cultural change across generations.
Key facts
- Address: Via S. Valentino, 51a, Merano
- Coordinates: 46.6607873, 11.1853201
- Phone: 0473 255655
- Website: http://www.touriseum.it/it/default.asp
- Opened: 2003
Practical information
Opening hours and admission prices are available on the official website. The museum is wheelchair accessible; contact the venue directly for specific accessibility details.
Getting there
The Touriseum is located in Merano, Trentino Alto Adige. You can reach it by car via Via S. Valentino, or by public transport—Merano’s train station serves regional connections. Parking information is available through the official website.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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