archeoParc Schnalstal

About the museum

The archeoParc in Val Senales, opened in 2001 at about 1,500 metres above sea level, is considered the first archaeological museum in South Tyrol with an outdoor area. The visitor centre building is inspired by Neolithic timber constructions and spreads over three floors.

The museum tells the story of the valley’s living environment at the time of Ötzi, the Man from the Ice, who lived about 5,300 years ago and was found in 1991 at the Giogo di Tisa (Tisa Ridge), on the border zone between Val Senales and Tyrol. The exhibition begins with life in the valley in prehistoric times and then describes the discovery of the mummy, with a 1:3 scale model of the rocky hollow where it was found, replicas of clothing and equipment to touch, and interactive stations.

In the outdoor area there are nine full-size Neolithic huts, reconstructed on the basis of archaeological excavations and grouped into three villages (Valli Alpine, Prealpi settentrionali and Pianura padana), together with experimental fields with cereals, pulses and dye plants. The park offers demonstrations of prehistoric techniques, such as making fire, and workshops on bread-making, leather and flint working, archery and navigation in a dugout canoe.

Highlights

• Exhibitions “Ma Ötzi, dove viveva?” and “La scoperta”
• Nine full-size Neolithic huts
• Fire-lighting and demonstrations of prehistoric techniques
• Workshops: bread, leather, flint and archery
• Navigation trial in a dugout canoe
• Telescope pointed at the Giogo di Tisa, site of the find

Founded

2001

Visitors per year

approx. 23,300

Admission & discounts

The basic ticket (route 1) includes the exhibitions, the nature trail, the huts of the Valli Alpine and the demonstration hut. Discounts with the Carta Famiglia Alto Adige, Touring Club and other partner cards.

Accessibility

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

The museum is free of architectural barriers. The outdoor area is partly grass and partly paved and can be navigated by wheelchair with a companion; three Neolithic huts and the jetties of route 3 have steps. Five disabled parking spaces near the entrance. For blind and partially sighted visitors almost all objects can be touched; there are no tactile routes.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Workshops without reservation, archery, dugout canoe rides (weather permitting), summer camps, activities during school holidays and birthday parties at the archeoParc.

Getting there & parking

By car from the SS 38 between Naturno west and Ciardes, follow Val Senales for 14 km; satnav address: archeoParc, Madonna 163, 39020 Senales.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Panoramic café on the third floor (12:00–16:30), bookshop on the ground floor and cinema in the visitor centre. Dogs are not admitted on the visit; on request at the ticket office a shaded outdoor area is available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit