The 'Ripa' Messner Mountain Museum. Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy. The Messner Mountain Museums (MMM) are a group of museums across this region of South Tyrol, dedicated to the mountain world, created by renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner. MMM Ripa is housed in a restored 13th century castle. Pictured, Japanese Buddha from 1940 surrounded by Mani stones, within the castle battlements. © Rudolf Abraham