On our first day in Bolzano, we took a trip to one of Reinhold Messner’s six mountain museums: Firmian. Located at the once-booming but now-crumbling Sigmundskron Castle, the Firmian museum brings new life to one of the oldest castles in South Tyrol. In this museum, Messner illustrates the interconnectedness between humans and the mountains. The winding trails and spiral stairs led us through the hilltop fortress, where we learned about human fascination with mountains while traversing one ourselves. 

Spirituality is one thread that weaves together humankind and mountains. Tibetan prayer flags line the entrance to the Messner Museum, religious statues dot the central plaza, and explorations of how the mountain inspires meditation are found in the castle’s many towers. Perhaps it is from the great feelings of humility that the mountains inspire, or from their great dangers, but mountains have always been a place where those practicing religion feel closer to their deity. The Messner Mountain Museum Firmian depicts the mountains as the roots by which different religions blossom, implying that they are not as separate as one might think. 

Tibetan prayer flags framing the entrance of the museum. Often found on mountain peaks, prayer flags are believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and a long life to the flag planter and those in the surrounding area.

A statue of a Hindu deity sits tucked into the mountain. Above, remains of the crumbling fortress and the new fortifications highlight the history and the future of the museum.

In one of the towers, a Buddhist statue sits in a window. The Laughing Buddha is depicted with a fat belly and smiling face, and represents happiness, joy, and prosperity.

A deep, cavernous section of the museum – places like this are sure to inspire mythical thoughts.

A statue of a man with birds in the plaza of the museum. This could be depicting Saint Francis, a figure in the Roman Catholic Church who is the patron saint of Italy and of ecology and animals.