Between folklore and world history

About half an hour’s drive from Merano lies the MuseumPasseier. It is located in farmstead of the Tyrolean patriot Andreas Hofer  in the village of St. Leonhard in the Passeirer Valley. The museum depicts the traditional life of the local farmers who suddenly found themselves at the centre of important historical events.

The ethnographical collection

The ethnographical collection in the museum’s barn depicts the conditions of the traditional farmers life, it exhibits show-pieces documenting local costumes, furniture, art, popular arts & beliefs, healing practices, customs, agricultural life, transport, crafts & the life of various local personages.
The out door area offers a stroll through various rebuilt original buildings of the 16th to the 19th century, through a typically furnished Passeirer farmstead of more recent vintage, a visit to the chapel of the Sacred Heart (1899) and the small church of the Sacred Sepulchre (1691).

Andreas Hofer – a publican against Napoleon

In this extensive exhibit the turbulent times of the Napoleonic Era come alive again: Various documents illuminate the life of this man that was to go down in history as a successful freedom fighter against the Napoleonic occupation in Tyrol. Three times he won battles at Berg Isel near Innsruck against the French and Bavarian troops. Who was Andreas Hofer? Was he a vigorous hero or a drunkard innkeeper and horse dealer? A gifted commander-in-chief or an overburdened partisan chief? These are the different questions the museum explores. A documentary film on the life and the achievements of Andreas Hofer and his allies in the Tyrolean insurrection of 1809 against the Napoleonic and Bavarian invaders are at the heart of the exhibition.
In the Andreas-Hofer-room we can take a look at his personal belongings On view are also written and illustrated historical documents, weapons & flags as well as contemporary commercial art and kitsch objects belonging this exceptional personality.
At the end it’s up to the visitor to decide for himself whether this man, whom the state anthem of Tyrol is dedicated, was a traditionalist partisan chief or a gifted commander-in-chief.

Opening hours and contact

The MuseumPasseier is open to the public from March to November.

For current entrance fee and more detailed information:
MuseumPasseier
Passeirerstraße 72 - I-39015 St. Leonhard in Passeier
Tel.: +39 0473 659 086 - www.museum.passeier.it