The LUMEN Museum of Mountain Photography is an amazing structure perched at the top of the Kronplatz Plateau in the South Tyrol. At 2275m, it is only accessible by cable car or a strenuous hike.
Housed in the original cable car station built in 1963, the museum and its wonderful restaurant seems to reach out into the void. It is a sight to behold.
With a strong emphasis on the changing climate and our gradual destruction of the planet, the museum captivates and emotionally engages its visitors. It pulls no punches when referring to the industrialisation of mountain areas, politics and the resulting receding glaciers.
Over four floors, the museum covers the wide subject of mountain photography. From early pioneers with their heavy photography equipment to the modern social media phenomenon.
The Shutter Room has a circular window with an amazing view. It's much more than that though.
If you're patient or catch it just right the shutter will close and the window will gradually disappear, then a video will play. It's very moving and well worth taking a break in your tour of the museum. Definitely gave me goosebumps.
With interesting artefacts, old photographs and postcards, interactive displays, the museum is really engaging. We spent a happy couple of hours wandering through the various displays, watching videos, flicking through old photo albums.
The temporary exhibition 'Blazing White' from Ester Vonplon depicts the beauty and gradual destruction of our glaciers. Haunting.
LUMEN... is not a proper museum: few originals are on display, instead it uses images to tell the story of mountainsRichard Piock
There is a bookshop at the entrance with a huge amount of unusual titles. I opted to buy the museum's own guide book which is full of details about each of the exhibition rooms along with a good dose of mountain history.
The view from every window reminds you of the special location. The building is bright white and well lit, making photography inside the museum a breeze.
I recommend ending your visit with a coffee at the cafe. With a wonderful view out over the mountains and great service, it really is a fitting end to your visit.
I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the museum. Especially as it was almost accidental! We were planning to visit the Messner Museum which is on the same plateau. When researching lift tickets we discovered the LUMEN museum and only popped in there as a side note to the Messner Museum as it was included on our tourist pass.
If you love the mountains, if you love photography, if you're interested in conservation or architecture - I really recommend a visit.
