lumen museum of mountain photography sits on top of the dolomites

located at the summit of the region kronplatz in south tyrol, the newly-opened lumen museum offers 1,800 sqm dedicated to mountain photography. spanning four floors, exhibitions include a permanent display of the work of mountain pioneer and ambassador for the protection of the alps reinhold messner, and a mirror room that presents an immersive collection of image sequences from some of the most famous international mountain photographers.

all images courtesy of the lumen museum of mountain photography

in charge of the museum‘s design, architect gerhard mahlknecht has transformed the former mountain station of the kronplatz into a modern yet unimposing structure. located in the heart of the dolomites at 2,265 m above sea level, lumen offers visitors a new perspective on the ‘old’ topic of the mountains with multi-perspective accesses in combination with a unique scenery, making the topic of such photography a holistic experience. the program combines exhibition spaces, an events room that holds up to 200 people and offers space for conferences, seminars, and workshops, and the AlpiNN restaurant with breathtaking views of the dolomites panorama.

temporary and permanent exhibitions at lumen are curated based on various angles, including alpinism, tourism, politics, spirituality, and history to examine the subject of the mountains from different perspectives. the room of miracles offers visitors a chance to view real and rare artifacts from the world of mountain photography, while the mirror room displays an artistic-poetic consideration of the specific atmosphere of the mountains.

project info:

name: lumen museum of mountain photography

architect: gerhard mahlknecht

exhibition design: giòforma and the workgroup with beat gugger, martin kofler, richard piock and manfred schweigkofler manfred

partners: the tyrolean archive of photographic documentation and art (TAP), durst, national geographic, red bull illume, cook the mountain

location: kronplatz-plan de corones mountain station, 2275m, south tyrol