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Ötzi‘s discovery site

On the track of the glacier mummy

It is 19 September 1991: the German couple Erika and Helmut Simon make a truly sensational discovery while hiking across Niederjochferner glacier - even if they had no idea about at the time.

They literally “stumble” over a glacier corpse and initially assume that it is a mountaineer who died here. Way off the mark. As it turns out, the mummified corpse that was to be named “Ötzi – The Iceman” has been lying in the ice for more than 5300 years.

The discovery site at 3,210 meters above sea level can be reached by experienced alpinists via Similaunhütte. A huge stone pyramid and information boards mark the place, which also offers stunning views of Similaun peak, Tisental side valley and Vernagt water reservoir in South Tyrol’s Schnalstal.