Medieval Italian Castle Transformed into Modern Mountain Museum

The beautiful Bruneck Castle in Northern Italy has been transformed by <a href="http://www.em2.bz.it/" target="_blank">EM2</a> architecture into a new branch of the <a href="http://www.messner-mountain-museum.it" target="_blank">Messner Mountain Museum</a>. Originally built by a bishop during <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rathaus-terraces-mixed-use-development-for-medieval-german-city/" target="_blank">Medieval</a> times, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cement-factory-ruins-transformed-into-castle-like-home-in-barcelona/" target="_blank">castle</a>'s interior has received an overhaul complete with new rooms constructed of period - appropriate unfinished timber. The museum is the brainchild of mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who has created a series of museums that highlight the culture of people who live in mountainous regions around the world.

Development on the project started in 2008, and since then EM2 has focused on restoring the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/minnesota-man-uses-geothermal-heating-system-to-build-soaring-ice-castles/" target="_blank">castle</a>’s façade and interior while creating a fine exhibition space.

Massive wooden stairways were built to connect the floors of the Bergfried<a href="http://inhabitat.com/sustainable-and-twisted-turning-torso-sculptural-building-in-malmo-by-santiago-calatrava/" target="_blank"> Tower</a> to various antechambers.

Wooden flooring was also installed over the castle's traditional stone floors. On top of the tower, visitors can catch a breathtaking view of the surrounding snow-capped Zillertal Alps.

Several wings of extensions were built from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mexicos-le-porc-shop-turns-drab-recycled-materials-into-dynamic-furniture/" target="_blank">unfinished wood</a> as well - these areas house more exhibitions while echoing the common materials used during the castle’s construction in Medieval times.

Meanwhile an elevator is a modern addition that serves disabled guests.

Reinhold Messner is a mountaineer and a cultural anthropologist that studies mountain people around the globe. His <a href="http://inhabitat.com/historic-raleigh-art-gallery-a-gets-a-modern-makeover-with-plunging-fin-roof/" target="_blank">museums</a> focus on educating visitors on glaciers, rock climbing, mythical mountain history, and the history of mountain people.