Plan de Corones — Kronplatz in German — is an unusual mountain: instead of the typical tower it has a wide, flat summit at over 2,270 metres, which serves as a natural terrace above the Pustertal and the Ladin valleys. You reach it effortlessly by gondola from several sides, including that of San Vigilio di Marebbe, and once at the top the view is genuinely 360 degrees: from the Lienz Dolomites to the Ortler, from the Marmolada to the Zillertal Alps. It is not surprising that it has become the icon of the entire area.
What sets the summit apart from any ordinary lift station are the two museums. The Messner Mountain Museum Corones, opened in 2015, is the last of the six museums founded by Reinhold Messner: designed by Zaha Hadid, it is literally carved into the mountain and features a terrace cantilevered over the void, dedicated to the history and discipline of mountaineering. Close by, the Lumen documents mountain photography. In winter, Plan de Corones is one of the finest ski areas in the Dolomites; in summer it becomes the domain of walks, panoramic trails, and mountain-bike routes. Culture, sport, and panoramas — all on the same gondola ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Which museums are on Plan de Corones?
Two museums stand at the summit: the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, designed by Zaha Hadid and dedicated to mountaineering, carved into the mountain with a terrace cantilevered over the valley, and the Lumen, a museum of mountain photography.
How do you reach the summit of Plan de Corones?
By modern gondolas climbing from several sides, including that of San Vigilio di Marebbe, to over 2,270 metres. At the top the panorama opens 360 degrees across the Dolomites and the surrounding Alps.