The Timmelsjoch experience

An otherworldly looking concrete museum at the apex of one of Europe’s most dramatic passes tells the story of a region that has born witness to centuries of intrepid travelers.

Timmelsjoch is the deepest, non-glaciated indentation in the main Alpine ridge between the Reschen Pass and the Brenner Pass that connects Italy with Austria. A road, once a mule track, links the Passeiertal valley and the Ötztal valley. Over thousands of years, unique similarities between the two valleys evolved, triumphing over the natural boundary created by the mountains.

Since 2010 architectural sculptures located at several stopping places along the road enlighten travellers about the natural surroundings, the history, the culture, the communities and the economy of the region.  

All together there are five sculptures to be explored, two on the Austrian side (called ‘Walkway’ and ‘Smuggler’) and two on the Italian side of the road (‘Telescope’ and ‘Garnets’).

On the highest point of the pass one can find the pass museum, which looks as though it might be the remnants of an alien craft that plummeted into the craggy pass eons ago. The concrete structure on the North Tyrolean side (designed by Werner Scholl Architekt) juts out like an erratic boulder into the South Tyrolean side, underlining the cross-border nature of the Timmelsjoch Experience. The ‘Ice Cave’ inside the museum pays tribute to the pioneers of the High Alpine Road and their remarkable accomplishment.

Unsurprisingly, this beautiful and dramatic pass is very popular amongst motorcycle and car tourists. Fans of architecture now also have a reason to venture into Timmelsjoch and behold this improbable yet fascinating design.