Todo Südtirol

How to reach the Castelvecchio Ruin

Castelvecchio Fortress is located at 1,273 m asl in a dense forest at Siusi allo Sciliar. First mentioned in 1186 AD, the castle was inhabited by Eckhard von Villanders until 1367. His grandson, the minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein, later on inherited one third of the castle complex of Castelvecchio, while Knight Martin Jäger was owner of the other two thirds. Nevertheless the castle was not inhabited by none of the two. When Oswald von Wolkenstein wanted to marry Margarete von Schwangau at the age of 14, he needed a habitation befitting his social status, and for this reason he tried to make a conquest of the whole castle complex. As he did not have the money he summarily occupied the castle. This struggle ended in 1427, when Oswald solely obtained the castle. In these years also the famous “Hauensteinlied” song was composed (Hauenstein is the German name of the castle) by the famous minnesinger.

In the 16th century Christoph von Wolkenstein acquired the castle and had it extended, but already a century later it kept deteriorating. In 1976/77 restaurations were carried out and inside the chapel remainings of frescos were layed open. In the course of these works a bronze sword and other items have been found, dating back to Mediaeval times. Today Castelvecchio Fortress is in possession of the diocese Bolzano-Bressanone and only some murals have been preserved. The ruin is open to the public and can be reached on foot from Siusi within half an hour.

Opening hours:
Open all year round

How to rerach the Prince’s Castle

The Prince’s Castle Merano in the centre of the spa town was the city residence of the Counts of Tyrol.
Sigismund, Archduke of Austria, had this modest castle – “Landesfürstliche Burg” in German, “Castello Principesco” in Italian – built in central location of Merano (Meran) in the second half of the 15th century. He probably used this fortress behind the town hall, at the foot of Mt. Benedetto, as his private city residence. However, this ensemble of buildings rather resembles an artistically designed, solid building with low enclosure than a fully-developed castle. For this reason it is simply often referred to as residence. Up to the 16th century the Prince’s Castle remained a royal residence. In 1516, also Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, resided in the castle.

As the building repeatedly changed hands, it started deteriorating in the course of the centuries. In 1875 finally, the city of Merano purchased the building. Between 1878 and 1880, a restoration period followed, based on the drawings of the internationally famous architect Friedrich von Schmidt, who also directed the renovations of the Dome of Vienna. When these renovations came to an end, the castle was opened also for the public. Today it hosts the Prince’s Castle Museum.

Its wood-panelled ancient parlours, tiled stoves, bedrooms and maiden rooms provide an interesting insight into the life in Mediaeval times. The furniture, however, dates back to the Gothic and Renaissance periods. Also some weapons such as lances and halberds have been preserved. Moreover there is a little chapel decorated with frescoes dating back to the 16th century. And how to reach the Prince’s Castle? It is located in the centre of the spa town, with access from Via Galilei road or from the Arcades of Merano. There are also some parking lots (subject to charge) in the surroundings.

Opening hours:
to 6th January:
from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30 am to 5 pm
Sundays and bank holidays from 10.30 am to 1 pm
closed on Mondays

Entry fee:

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Contact:
Prince’s Castle
Via G. Galilei
39012 Merano
+39 329 0186390

How to reach the Taranto Castle

The castle is located at the foot of the Tramontana mountain (Nördersberg). Dornsberg or Tarantsberg Castle, as it also used to be called, has been established in 1217 by the Lords von Tarant. Members of this family were demonstrably imperial ministerialis of Tyrol. They decorated the castle with panels, tiled stove, carved doors and windows, and many more elements. In the St Ursula chapel there is also a winged altar, the walls boast ancient paintings. In the heart of the castle the donjon towers into the sky.

Around 1291, proprietor of the castle was Count Meinhard II, around 1347 it was Heinrich von Annenberg, from 1699 the Counts von Mohr and later on the Giovanelli and Fuchs families.

After the end of WWII the building was damaged, but in 1964 the Gottschall family from Munich purchased the castle complex and had it restored with the utmost effort. Still today this castle is in possession of this family.

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Contact:
Tourist Information Naturns/Naturno
Rathausstraße/Via Municipio 1
39025 Naturns/Naturno
+39 0473 666077