28 January 2026  Olympic Torch Moment in South TyrolOn 6 February, the Olympic Winter Games begin and run until 22 February, bringing global attention to northern Italy and regions close to the Austrian border. South Tyrol is directly involved: the biathlon competitions will take place in Antholz (Anterselva). Only around 15 kilometres from Antholz lies Bruneck, one of the main towns in the Puster Valley. Just yesterday, the Olympic torch for the Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026 passed through the town and was carried up to the Kronplatz summit as part of its relay route ahead of the Games. Bruneck is a popular base for mountain sports and skiing and is closely linked to its "house mountain", the Kronplatz (Plan de Corones). The mountain is known not only for winter tourism but also for contemporary architecture and culture, including the Messner Mountain Museum designed by Zaha Hadid and the LUMEN Museum of Mountain Photography.Kronplatz as a place for culture and foodSince December 2018, the summit of the Kronplatz has also been home to the LUMEN Museum. Located at 2,275 metres above sea level, the museum is housed in a former cable car station redesigned by South Tyrolean architect Gerhard Mahlknecht. Across four floors and around 1,800 square metres, LUMEN presents the history of mountain photography, from early images to contemporary and digital works, combining scientific research with accessible storytelling.In the same building, the restaurant AlpiNN by Norbert Niederkofler also opened in December 2018. With its large panoramic windows overlooking the Dolomites and the valley of Bruneck below, the restaurant has become a visible extension of Niederkofler's culinary philosophy "Cook the Mountain", which focuses on regional products, seasonal cycles and respect for alpine ecosystems. From Bruneck to the summit: Niederkofler's approachNorbert Niederkofler is also present in Bruneck itself, where he runs Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in the historic Villa Moessmer, part of the Moessmer wool factory. The location underlines his long-term interest in craftsmanship, local production and the cultural history of the region.Recently at the Kronplatz, Niederkofler presented a new aspect of AlpiNN's daily life: the updated team clothing created in cooperation with the Spanish brand Ecoalf. In front of the restaurant's panoramic windows, the team wore jackets, trousers, T-shirts and sweatshirts made from recycled materials. Several pieces carry the clear statement "Because there is no Planet B". Fashion and cuisine, linked by attitudeEcoalf is known for developing textiles from recycled waste such as plastic bottles and fishing nets, aiming to reduce the use of new natural resources. At AlpiNN, the collaboration is not presented as a fashion statement but as a practical extension of existing values. The message printed on the clothing mirrors Niederkofler's culinary approach: a strong connection to place, responsibility for resources and long-term thinking.Seen against the Dolomite landscape, the cooperation highlights how different fields – food, fashion, architecture and culture – can meet at high altitude around shared ideas, without losing their individual identities. Images, from left: Member of the AlpiNN team, wearing clothing by Ecoalf, stands in front of the restaurant’s panoramic window on the Kronplatz, overlooking the Dolomites and the valley of Bruneck. Right: Portrait of Norbert Niederkofler in a padded jacket. Photo: © AlpINN / Gerd Eder |