Messner Mountain Museum Juval

Located in Juval Castle, this museum showcases sacred mountains, Tibetan artifacts, and masks from five continents, reflecting Reinhold Messner’s personal collection.

Planning your visit

Juval is Messner's home. He bought the ruined castle above the Vinschgau valley in 1983 and restored it as a residence, and it functions as a museum only during the months he is not living there — closed in summer, which catches visitors out.

The theme is the sacred mountain. Messner's collections cover Tibetan art and religious objects, thangkas, and a substantial gathering of masks from five continents used in ritual and performance. Material relating to Nanga Parbat, the mountain where his brother died in 1970 on the expedition that made his reputation and remains the defining episode of his life, occupies its own space.

The castle sits at 900 metres on a rocky spur, reached by a shuttle or a steep walk, surrounded by vineyards Messner farms.

The Vinschgau is the driest valley in the Alps, with irrigation channels dating back centuries. Opening periods are limited, so checking before travelling is essential. Allow two hours including the ascent. The main booking is an entry ticket. Current availability is listed below.