The Messner Mountain Museum Dolomites is located on Monte Rite (2181 m) in the heart of the Dolomites between Pieve di Cadore and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Housed in a Great War fort and dedicated to the element ‘rock’, the museum tells the story of Dolomite exploration and mountaineering. The gallery in the nave displays paintings and works from Reinhold Messner’s collection representing the Dolomites, from Romanticism to contemporary art. Artistic views magically alternate with panoramic glimpses from the museum windows of the surrounding peaks: Monte Schiara, Monte Agnèr, Cimon della Pala, Monte Civetta, Marmolada, Monte Pelmo, Tofana di Rozes, Sorapis, Antelao.
“The museum in the clouds” also preserves some evidence of the origin of Dolomite rock: fossils of Claraia shells 250 million years ago, fossils of palm ferns 240 million years ago, and other extraordinary finds, a reminder of what were once coral reefs in a tropical sea.

In summer, the museum can be reached by shuttle bus or by a walk of about three hours.

After the visit you can play with your children to test what they have understood! Click here to download the pdf and here for the quiz solution!