No drugs, no communication, no bolts, no artificial oxygen—the rules of life for Reinhold Messner (Messner ABC), whose latest museum was built according to a design by Zaha Hadid at the very top of Kronplatz.
One of the most famous mountaineers in history, the first to conquer all 14 eight-thousanders in the world (some solo), was born in South Tyrol, thus paying tribute to his native Dolomites. He has already filled three castles, one dungeon, and a fort at 2,181 meters above sea level with his quotes, photographs, paintings, and artifacts from his mountain expeditions around the world.
The Messner Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid and atop Kronplatz, is a strange, multi-level structure, sprawling like corridors within the rock face. Its enormous, eye-like windows peer out from beneath the surface.
Inside, a wealth of equipment (crampons, holds, ice axes, etc.) from various expeditions over the years is collected. A bronze Nepalese lotus flower from the 19th century is also on display. Large and small paintings of the Dolomites line the walls. Artwork is hung everywhere, even in the restroom corridors. A cinema screens a documentary about the K2 ascent, which is constantly showing.
Naturally, Messner's books and photo albums are for sale. Quotes from wise mountaineers are plastered on the walls. Helpful hints: ski boots are allowed into the museum (snowboard boots are even more so), and the postcards are silly.
The exhibition's logic and the visiting process are completely unclear. There are no visible guides or explanations on how to explore this space and its exhibits. We discovered that Messner himself had already explained everything once, saying, literally, the following: "Wherever I went, I was left to my own devices. No one explained to me how to find the exit or see anything."
"That's why people in my museum—let them choose themselves. There's no logic to it; just walk around and look as you please."
Source: travel.ru