South Tyrolean Fruit Growing Museum

Lana near Merano is one of the oldest fruit growing villages of South Tyrol - for this reason it is a worthy venue for the Fruit Growing Museum.

The residence Larchgut at Lana is seat of the Fruit Growing Museum which has been inaugurated in 1990. This museum illustrates stages of fruit growing in South Tyrol and of course especially at Merano and surroundings by exhibiting items and machines and more than 60 charts. Media and models complete the offer. An exhibition area of some 2,000 sqm make an illustrative and enjoyable presentation of the subject possible. Workshops on apples, e.g. how to prepare apple strudel, and other events also inform about fruit growing and fruits in general. Also old varieties of apples (more than 40) are presented.

Also methods of crop spraying and its development in the course of time are a central point in the presentation of apple tree cultivation. The so called “Braunsberger Torggl” is, however, slightly off-topic. This grape press dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest grape press of South Tyrol. The residence Larchgut includes an ancient residential tower and has been mentioned for the first time in 1301. Shortly before the residence has been built by the Lords of Lana-Brandis. In 1530 a Gothic annex was added to the building.

South Tyrol is the largest fruit growing area at one stretch of Europe. 18,000 hectares and 50 million apple trees, resulting in 10 per cent of the European production in South Tyrol alone. One per cent of these apples come from Lana.

Opening hours and prices:
from March to October Monday - Friday from 10 am - 5 pm, in the months of April, May, September and October also Saturdays from 1 - 5 pm, ticket adults from Euro 4.00, free entry for children up to 5 years

Guided tours for groups on request also outside opening hours.

Further information:
phone +39 0473 564387, info@obstbaumuseum.it