Cowbells, the Berliner Hütte mountain hut in the Zillertal Alps, glacial legacy waste and a statue of Saint Nicholas – the mountainous landscape of Tyrol links them all. The exhibition explores the relationships between people and mountains – past and present. Alongside historical objects, it features artworks, films, songs and interactive stations. It’s an exhibition for mountain enthusiasts, families and curious visitors alike.
Tyrol’s mountains feel familiar: images of snow-covered peaks, untouched nature and mountain huts continue to shape how the region is perceived today. Yet a closer look also reveals motorways, dams and ski lifts. This is not a contradiction but part of a region whose mountains have long been shaped by diverse uses. The mountains influence the lives of people in Tyrol, while, in turn, they shape the mountains themselves. Economic activity and scientific research are just as much a part of this landscape as trade and travel.
The exhibition focuses on the mountains of the Austrian federal state of Tyrol, where global challenges such as climate change and mass tourism are especially visible. How are people responding to these issues?