An impressive villa in Maia Alta, surrounded by the “Garden of Living Silence”, displays the art collection of Franz Fromm
Image gallery: Villa Freischütz House Museum
In 1909, a villa was built in a top location in Maia Alta. The stately house no longer presents itself in Art Nouveau style like many other buildings in the spa town, but already in the style of architectural modernism, which was predominant in the first half of the 20th century. From the Via Priami path, which leads past the villa, it is hard to see in its park between the trees.
But it houses a very special exhibition: the impressive art collection of Franz Fromm, who bought the house in 1922. Franz Fromm was a wine merchant from Prussia, but he had a passion for works of art from all over the world. He died in the Villa Freischütz in 1941. His granddaughter Rosamaria Navarini (1926-2013) donated the villa and its art collection to a foundation that was to make it accessible to the public. This Fondazione Navarini-Ugarte now runs the museum, which displays everyday objects from the period 1922-1941, including board games and household books, as well as works of art such as paintings by Ellen Tornquist and Georg Greve Lindau.
The villa itself is also worth a visit: The high rooms, the magnificent terrazzo floors, the Asian wallpapers and the furniture from all corners of the world provide a fascinating environment. It is surrounded by the wildly overgrown "Garden of Living Silence". And how to reach the museum, called "Hausmuseum Villa Freischütz" in German and "Casa Museo Villa Freischütz" in Italian? It is located in the Via Priami path in Maia Alta (for those coming by foot), there is a bus stop (line 1) about a 5-minute walk away. Access to the parking space for cars: Via Belvedere road 8.
Contact info
- Via Priami / Priamiweg 7 - 39012 - Maia Alta/Merano / Obermais/Meran
- +39 0473 425149 / +39 339 4321283
- info@villafreischuetz.org
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
1st floor (visit without guide):
€ 10.00 adults
€ 8.00 children and young people (under 18 years)
€ 8.00 students, seniors 65+
€ 8.00 people with disabilities
2nd floor (guided tour only):
€ 10.00 adults
€ 8.00 children and young people (under 18 years)
€ 8.00 students, seniors 65+
€ 8.00 people with disabilities
More information
The season 2023 will start on April 8, summer closure in August. The 2nd floor is accessible only during a guided tour (in German or Italian language, audio guide in English), reservation needed.