Guided tours and mediation

A huge labyrinth, constantly repeating sequences of rooms and escapes, hidden dead ends and paths – this is how the magnificent bulwark of the Franzensfeste Fortress presents itself, which can be deciphered and discovered. During a ‘treasure hunt’ in the Franzensfeste Fortress, children and young people can, among other things, get to the bottom of the secret of the gold treasure that was stored in the fortress and gain well-founded insights into the history of the fortress and its surroundings in a fun way.

Target group: Primary and middle school classes

Bunkers, once built out of fear, are now silent witnesses to a time thought to have passed. In South Tyrol alone, over 300 bunkers were built in the 1930s and 1940s. Several questions inevitably arise: Who built them? For what purpose? When were they built? The new permanent exhibition focuses on the conception and construction of the so-called Alpine Wall through to the use of this gigantic defence structure in parts during the Cold War and the transfer to the province of South Tyrol after 1992.

As part of a guided tour, pupils can gather information and impressions and learn more about the contexts that led to the construction and use of the bunkers.

Target group: Pupils from secondary and high schools
Note: The guided tour requires a basic understanding of the historical events and, if possible, preparatory individual research; you are welcome to contact us in advance. Please send enquiries in this regard to: vermittlung@franzensfeste.info
Language: German and Italian

Bunker No. 3, located in a forest near the fortress, was built in 1939 as part of a bunker blocking group of the so-called Alpenwall. It was in operation during the Cold War and beyond until 1992. The complex underground system extends over 290 metres and a height difference of almost 26 metres in the natural rock.

Students can gather sensory and emotional impressions in the bunker, which are then discussed during the subsequent visit to the exhibition. The military-strategic and historical-political issues that led to the construction of the gigantic Alpine wall are also briefly discussed. Particular attention will be paid to the knowledge that the pupils were able to acquire through their own research as part of their school preparation. Furthermore, the extent to which the concept of ‘bunker construction’ can be applied to current geopolitical events and their effects will be discussed.

Target group: Secondary and high school students
Note: The tour assumes a basic understanding of the historical events and, if possible, preparatory individual research. You are welcome to contact us in advance. Please send your enquiry directly to: vermittlung@franzensfeste.info
Good to know: Please note that the corridors of the bunker can occasionally be narrow and spiders and other creepy-crawlies can be found. The temperature in the bunker rooms is rather cool and damp, so we recommend dressing warmly and choosing sturdy footwear to enjoy the experience safely.
Only conditionally suitable for: People with claustrophobia or a fear of creepy-crawlies and spiders.
Language: German and Italian

The forest in the immediate vicinity of the fortress hides a fascinating secret: a widely ramified underground network of tunnels and rooms that stretches an impressive 290 metres. Bunker No. 3 covers an impressive area of more than 600 square metres and was built in 1939. It was part of the famous ‘Vallo Alpino’, an alpine defence system that was conceived as early as 1931 as a protective wall against the German Reich. The bunker was in operation for over six decades, until 1992.

As you explore this mysterious place and its surroundings, you will be introduced to the history of this extraordinary defence structure and learn more about the political background that led to its creation.

Good to know: Please note that the corridors of the bunker can sometimes be narrow and spiders and other creepy-crawlies can be found. The temperature in the bunker rooms tends to be cool and damp, so we recommend dressing warmly and choosing sturdy footwear to enjoy the experience safely.
Only conditionally suitable for: People with claustrophobia or a fear of creepy-crawlies and spiders.
Languages: German or Italian

In the immediate vicinity of the fortress, a fascinating, extensive underground network of tunnels and rooms stretches over an impressive 290 metres. Bunker no. 3, with an area of over 600 square metres, was built in 1939 as part of the ‘Vallo Alpino’, a defence system against potential threats from the German Reich. This impressive bunker was in operation until 1992 and has a rich historical significance.

In the bunker you have the opportunity to gather impressions – to experience, see, feel and smell what it is like to be in a bunker – which can then be discussed during a visit to the permanent exhibition.

Good to know: Please note that the corridors of the bunker can occasionally be narrow and spiders and other creepy-crawlies can be found. The temperature in the bunker rooms is rather cool and damp, so we recommend dressing warmly and choosing sturdy footwear to enjoy the experience safely.
Only conditionally suitable for: People with claustrophobia or a fear of creepy-crawlies and spiders.
Languages: German or Italian

The Franzensfeste, built between 1833 and 1838, is an impressive example of fortress construction above ground. Planned by Archduke Johann and realised under the direction of Franz von Scholl and Carl von Martony, the fortress was built at great expense. Thousands of tonnes of granite, millions of bricks as well as wood, sand and lime were brought in from the surrounding area. The fortress presents itself with imposing casemates, granite walls, brick vaults and wooden floors. Inside there is a fortress chapel built later in the neo-Gothic style, which forms an interesting contrast to the functional ‘military classicism’ of the other buildings. A steep underground staircase with 452 steps leads to the upper fortress of the Franzensfeste, which is 90 metres higher.

The fortress, once built for defence, has been the South Tyrolean Provincial Museum since 2017. During the revitalisation, care was taken to preserve its condition and make minimal interventions in order to preserve the patina and aura of the fortress. The award-winning project was realised by architects Markus Scherer and Walter Dietl. The revitalisation of the Franzensfeste: atlas.arch.bz.it/de/wiedergewinnung-der-festung-franzensfeste/

Good to know: Our guided tours are flexible and can be customised to suit your interests and level of knowledge. During the tour, we explore large parts of the fortress grounds, which means travelling long distances and climbing the steep underground staircase to the Upper Fortress. We recommend sturdy shoes so that you can move around comfortably and safely.
Languages: German or Italian