The roots of Tyrol Castle, formerly seat of the Lords of Tyrol and eponymous for the whole region, date back to the 12th century. In 2003 the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History - "Südtiroler Museum für Kultur- und Landesgeschichte" in German, "Museo storico-culturale della Provincia di Bolzano" in Italian - was inaugurated in these venerable walls. It is one of the 11 Provincial Museums of South Tyrol, an entity that also comprises other museums such as the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology or the South Tyrolean Wine Museum in Caldaro.

This museum shows not only the beautiful rooms of the castle, but provides also an insight into the history of Tyrol down to the present day on 20 different levels. The temple is one of the many rooms - it is dedicated to archaelogical finds from the various areas excavated around Tyrol Castle and its different building stages. From here you can enter the crypt. Also the Knights' Hall, Burgrave's Hall, Emperor's Hall and the Upper and Lower Chapel are accessible and tell e.g. about the medieval society or about status and power. A well-known picture taken inside the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History represents the Crucifixion scene from 1330 AD in the Lower Chapel. This "miraculös cruzifix" was venerated by locals and pilgrims as a relic.

The garden behind the castle, however, offers a magnificent panoramic view on Merano and surroundings. There you can find also a small building dedicated to the church excavations - the remains found in this place date back to the 5th century AD. The building underneath Castel Tyrol houses the Bird Care Centre, well-known for its flight shows. And how to reach the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History? Tirolo village offers several parking spaces (subject to charge). From there, the Castle Path leads you in a pleasant 30-minute walk to the castle, passing also an old tunnel. The trail is closed to traffic.