Schreibmaschinenmuseum Peter Mitterhofer

About the museum

The museum was conceived in memory of Peter Mitterhofer (1822–1893), a joiner and carpenter from Parcines who in 1864 built the first typewriter models with the simplest of tools, mostly of wood. Two of them he took to the imperial court in Vienna, but his invention was not recognised during his lifetime.

The decisive impetus came from the donation of the Merano collector Kurt Ryba: in 1993, a hundred years after the inventor's death, the first step towards opening the museum became possible. The building, in the historic centre of the village, was designed by the architects Georg Mitterhofer and Luciano Delugan and extends over four levels.

Today the collection comprises about 2,000 typewriters, from Mitterhofer's invention to the 1980s, when the computer definitively replaced them, and it is one of the largest in the world. The museum is also the South Tyrolean pilot museum of the European SMART project for enhancing small museums.

Highlights

• Original models by Peter Mitterhofer
• Danish writing ball Malling Hansen of 1867, the first machine produced in series
• Enigma cipher machine of the Second World War
• Olivetti Valentine and a typewriter by Thomas Alva Edison
• Exotic models with Cyrillic, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Greek characters
• Visitable storage with the possibility to try some models

Permanent exhibition

• Esposizione permanente sulla storia della macchina da scrivere – Over three floors, the history of the typewriter with selected examples, from Peter Mitterhofer's invention of 1864 to the age of the computer, plus a storage area that can be visited on a guided tour.

Founded

1993

Visitors per year

approx. 4,025

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month (May–October) 14:00–18:00, and International Museum Day: free admission.

Payment by cash only. Free admission for school classes from the municipality's schools accompanied by a teacher and, during the summer holidays, for students up to 27 with the südtirolmobil pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 museum spreads over four levels. The audio guide is also available with sign language translation; the museum took part as a pilot museum in the SMART project for an inclusive route.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Paper-making workshop for children and adults; routes for primary and middle schools on request; family ticket €18.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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