Andreas Hofer Passiria Museum: Discovering the South Tyrolean hero
The Andreas Hofer Passiria Museum is located in San Leonardo in Passiria, inside the Sandhof farmstead — the birthplace of the famous South Tyrolean freedom fighter.
Andreas Hofer was born on November 22, 1767, the youngest of six children of Josef Hofer and Maria Aigentler. His family managed the inn adjoining the farmhouse, the "Golden Crown", situated along the Passiria Valley road leading to the Jaufen Pass, an important trade route of the time.
Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by one of his sisters. In later years, he became the leader of the Tyrolean rebellion against Napoleon, leading the resistance against Bavarian and French troops. Betrayed and captured, he was taken to Mantua, where he was executed on February 20, 1810.
The Passiria Museum: A journey through history
The museum offers an engaging exhibition about the life of Andreas Hofer and the history of Tyrol. The heart of the museum is housed in the old Sandhof stable and features the thematic exhibition “Heroes & Hofer”, which includes:
- A 20-minute documentary on the life of Andreas Hofer.
- Artifacts, documents, and objects from the era that help contextualize the historical events.
- An open-air area featuring a reconstruction of a traditional Passiria Valley farmstead, complete with forge, mill, granary, living quarters, and oven.
The museum’s satellite locations
The Passiria Museum also includes several external sites connected to the region’s history:
- Giovo Castle, once a strategic fortress used for territorial defense.
- The French Cemetery, a memorial site commemorating battles fought in the Passiria Valley.
- The Pfistrad Alpine Pasture Museum, illustrating traditional alpine life.
- The Bunker Mooseum, a fascinating combination of history and nature housed in a former military fortification.
A visit to the Andreas Hofer Passiria Museum is an immersion in South Tyrolean history and tradition — a journey through memory, culture, and local identity.
For more information, visit the official website of the Passiria Museum.