Nationalparkzentrum Mittersill

About the museum

The Nationalparkwelten Hohe Tauern are the visitor exhibition of the Nationalparkzentrum Hohe Tauern in Mittersill. The building goes back to an anonymous, EU-wide architecture competition, which was won by the Salzburg-based architects Thomas Forsthuber and Christoph Scheithauer. Their raised building, with a timber upper section above a concrete base zone, takes up motifs from the landscape and from traditional farm construction; the client commissioned the interior design of the exhibition independently from the Haus der Natur in Salzburg.

The exhibition was created in 2007, and a 360-degree panorama cinema was added in 2013. Later the concept was fundamentally reworked: across about 1,800 square meters, ten worlds lead from the highest peaks through glaciers, water, mountain forest and alpine pasture down into the valley. The tour is supplemented by a 3D experience cinema and a 360-degree film that leads into the Sulzbachtäler wilderness area.

The center is operated by Nationalparkzentrum Hohe Tauern GmbH, a subsidiary of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern holiday region. The building also houses the National Park shop, the Almaa restaurant and conference rooms; the Hohe Tauern National Park administration Salzburg also has its offices at the same address.

Highlights

• Ten experience worlds on about 1,800 square meters
• 360-degree panorama cinema with a film journey into the Sulzbachtäler wilderness area
• 3D experience cinema on the origins of the Hohe Tauern
• Eagle-flight panorama and marmot burrow
• Glacier world, water realm and the myth of the mountain forest
• Audio guide in German and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Die zehn Nationalparkwelten – Interactive route from the eagle-flight panorama past marmots, glaciers, the water realm and the mountain forest to summer on the alpine pasture.
• 360-Grad-Panoramakino – Film experience with perspectives from the summit, from a glacier crevasse and from a mountain stream, plus a journey into the Sulzbachtäler wilderness area.
• 3D-Erlebniskino – Animated film on how the landscape of the Hohe Tauern came into being.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Nationalparkzentrum Hohe Tauern GmbH

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Nationalpark SommerCard, Zell am See/Kaprun SommerCard, SalzburgerLand Card and Hochkönig Card (scan the card at the turnstile). Reduced admission with other cards, such as the Nationalpark WinterCard, Kitzbüheler Alpen Sommer Card or Gästekarte Kitzbühel.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition, sanitary facilities, car park and restaurant are barrier-free; the elevator and roll ramps are also suitable for strollers. Dogs are not permitted in the exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The museum explicitly calls itself child-friendly, with its own areas for experimenting, playing and learning. The audio guide is aimed mainly at adults and older children.

Getting there & parking

Mittersill lies on the Tauern cycle path, and bicycle racks stand in front of the entrance. With the ÖBB Erlebnisticket, train travel and admission can be booked together.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Almaa with a sun terrace in summer and a children's menu, and the National Park shop with regional products, literature and gifts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Conference room Gipfelblick, National Park cinema and Saal Hohe Tauern; rental for a half or full day (from €400 or €500 respectively, plus 20% VAT). The restaurant is also available for private events.

Plan your visit