Castles in South Tyrol
South Tyrol – the land of mountains – is also the land of castles and manors. The historical buildings invite to discover the exciting history of South Tyrol and give the picturesque landscape a mystical aura.
With around 800 castles, South Tyrol offers a fascinating treasure, fascinating countless visitors every year. Enchanted ruins by the wayside tell about princesses, knights and robbers. Many lovingly renovated castles in South Tyrol are restaurants, castle hotels or museums and open for visitors. Some of them are still inhabited by the castle lords and function as summer residence.
In summer, the famous extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner lives at Castel Juval in Kastelbell-Tschars, at the entrance of Schnalstal. Here, he has also realised one of his six Messner Mountain Museums. Two other museums by Messner are located at Castle Bruneck and at Castle Sigmundskron near Bozen.
In the south of Bozen, around Eppan, visitors are able to see 200 castles and manors. This is why the area is the most castle-populated region in Europe, offering many well-known excursions and interesting cultural attractions. A recommendation for families is the castle hike in Eppan.
South Tyrolean Castle Institute
Since 1963, the South Tyrolean Castle Institute aims at protecting private and public South Tyrolean castles. In addition to professional documentation, restoration and maintenance of Castle Trostburg and Castle Taufers, which are in possession of the institute, the association also engages in creating awareness among its members.
The voluntary association organises exhibitions, seminars and conferences around the topic of castles. As well, it encourages castle publications and the release of ARX magazine (lat. castle). The straight collaboration with other European castle institutes is of high importance in this matter.
Images
Sonnenburg Castle near St. Lorenzen is situated in St. Lorenzen at the entrance to Gader valley. Today, it is a well-known luxury and gourmet hotel.
© Internet Consulting - Stefanie Selva
Today of the castle remained only the Powder Tower.
© Internet Consulting - Patrick Kammerlander
Today, the oldest castle of Hochpustertal is open for visitors. As well, it offers expositions and various events mainly in summer.
© Internet Consulting
Reifenstein Castle is situated in Freienfeld. It is the best preserved castle in South Tyrol, as it was never conquered and destroyed.
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The Brunnenburg Castle was built around 1250. Over time, it fell into disrepair before it was given a new lease on life in the 20th century.
© TV Dorf Tirol - Roter Rucksack
The picturesque Sprechenstein Castle is located above Eisacktal, next to Reifenstein Castle, and can only be visited from the outside.
© Internet Consulting - Jessica Steiner
The hill between Montan and Auer is a famous destination for excursions.
© Ferienregion Castelfeder - Luca Dal Gesso
the oldes castle of Pustertal valley
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Today, the picturesque Rennaissance building is a famous event location and conference centre.
© Internet Consulting - Fabian Auer
The ruin of Rotund Castle above Taufers im Münstertal can be reached via a family-friendly hiking path.
© Vinschgau Marketing - Frieder Blickle
Today, the late-medieval castle is the forth museum by alpinist Reinhold Messner, inaugurated in 2006.
© Internet Consulting
The castle in Sand in Taufers can already be seen from a big distance.
© TV Sand in Taufers - Manuel Kottersteger