The Kirchler Mineralogical Museum is the result of decades of dedicated research and collecting, born out of a deep passion for minerals. The research focused on the Ziller Alps (Aurine) and the Hohe Tauern, which form their natural extension into Austrian territory; across a museum area of 300 square metres, 1,000 mineral specimens are on display, formed deep within the Earth some 30 million years ago. In addition to the largest smoky quartz specimens found in our region, a very rare ‘twisted’ rock crystal deserves special attention; it is certainly among the most beautiful to have come to light so far and was discovered in a cavern during mining operations at the Predoi mine.

Rating: High

The Kirchler Mineralogical Museum is located approximately 1.5 km from the centre of San Giovanni in Valle Aurina on the left-hand side of the road, and is accessible to families with pushchairs, older people and those with reduced mobility. The entrance is easily reached from the visitor car park, where there is a small step of 4 cm. All the museum’s exhibition spaces are on the ground floor and are accessible. The Kirchler Mineralogical Museum does not have a toilet accessible to people with disabilities.