While travelling through South Tyrol, enjoy dramatic views of 800 forts, castles and stately residences, the highest concentration of which is close to Bolzano/Bozen. A visit to the Franzensfeste fortress (Festung Franzensfeste) is impressive, whilst the entertaining Touriseum, the South Tyrol Museum of Tourism, is housed in Trauttmansdorff Castle. Those interested in learning more about the history of South Tyrol should head to the Tyrol Castle (Schloss Tirol).
Maultasch Castle Ruin (Neuhaus) was probably built in the early 13th century as a double castle, but shows only ruined walls today. These have been carefully restored so that visitors can imagine the castle life at earlier time.
The perfect combination of history, culture and modern comfort. Talking about Paschbach Castle, one might at first remember the name of one of the greatest pianists of the last century: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, who was the co-founder of the Busoni piano contest. Michelangeli lived for many years in the castle and played the piano, which can still be seen here today. A mansion for its noble owners, Paschbach Castle is today a friendly, family-owned b&b. With its beautiful castle grounds, surrounded by the fruit orchards and vineyards of Appiano sulla Strada del Vino, the b&b offers the modern lord and lady of the castle stunning views and a sense of grandeur. The heart of the imposing structure is the "Tower of Paschway" dating back to the first half of the 13th century in which is situated a magnificent gothic stube. The complete complex of buildings is surrounded by ring walls with battlements. The castle is an ideal starting point for numerous excursions and leisure time activities. Only a few steps away you will find the Golfclub Freudenstein with training ground and golf academy. Even the well known Caldaro Lake and the Lake of Monticolo, which you can reach in only a few minutes.
Ganglegg is the best-researched fortified Bronze-Age/Iron-Age Alpine settlement in the entire Alpine region.
Castle basket ( Italian Castel Corba ) is a castle west of Bolzano in Appiano district Missian in South Tyrol. It is located below the castle ruins Boymont . The square tower house was from 1230 to 1235 , built by the Lords of basket, ministry officials of the Counts of Appiano . From the 14th century it was a fief in the hands of various Tyrolean noble families (including the fox Fuchsberg and Fieger , 1637 ) . The merchant Johann cleaner Reibegg of 1834 prompted a castle-like , romanticized conversion to a winning with decorative pinnacles housing and the construction of the chapel. [1 ] The crenellated tower house is now covered with a pyramidal roof . Are coupled Romanesque double windows on the sides. In 1877, the native of Greifswald Teßmann family acquired the property . Their son Friedrich Tessman was born at Castle basket and was a noted jurist and historian Tyrol. According to him, the State Library was named in Bolzano.
The chapel of the castle was dedicated 1474 and renewed in the 17. century.
The Town Hall of Brixen is situated between the “Portici Maggiori” Street and Cathedral Square.
The present building has a Renaissance façade and a late-Medieval crenellated roof.
In 1557, this house on the square, always described as small, was still an accessory to today's Amplatz, formerly the inn "zum Zotten" and connected by three doors. After it was later mentioned as an accessory to the Hilber, it was occupied around 1700 by the priest Johann Teiss the Elder. His heirs sold it in 1722 to Balthasar Öfner, Ladler or Krämer auf Montan. In 1783 the cobbler Johann Babtista Monsorno bought the upper part of the house - the seller received a pair of new shoes on top of the purchase price - and in 1788 Monsorno also bought the lower part. In 1813 the house was divided again: Peter Kaufmann received one floor and Josef Gaßmann one. In 1834 Gaßmann ceded his part to Peter Kaufmann. In 1838, he bequeathed the house to the community as the holder of the patronage rights of the Teissische Benefizium, with the condition that it be made available to the respective beneficiary free of charge. In 1905, the Benefiziumhäusl was sold to Jordan Amplatz. In 2017, Karl Amplatz sold it to the Zuchristian-Amplatz family, who lovingly renovated the house and expanded their directly bordering accommodation business (Amplatz). This closes the circle, and the Benefiziumhäusl is once again an accessory to the adjacent Amplatz, as it was in 1557.
Since 1507, a sundial has adorned this house, which in addition to the sundial on the church tower shows the time to visitors to the village square. As a special feature, this chronometer even distinguishes between "old" (winter time) and "new" time (summer time).
Castle Gandegg in Appiano area Piganò is a massive phenomenon. The most striking feature are likely to be the 4 round towers, each stands at a corner of the rectangular main building. A 1443 first mentioned in late medieval tower house was structurally integrated on the south side of Castle Gandegg. Schlos Gandegg is a unitary construction from the mid-16th century, commissioned by the lords Khuen-Belasi who had taken possession by the original builders of the residential tower, the Annabergern. The basic concept of the building corresponds to the northern Italian style of fortifications of that time.
The rooms are grand, spacious rooms with coffered ceilings and tiled stoves from the 16th and 17th centuries. The main building is surrounded by a large Park, protected by a high wall, on the southwest flank the property is bordered by farm buildings with late Gothic elements.
The old Lippa sawmill from the 19th century is located in Oberolang, in an easily accessible location in the immediate vicinity of the Val Pusteria cycle path and the Olang nature and culture trail. It is the last remaining Venetian sawmill, which was restored and put back into operation in 2011 after it was last used in 1958. It is a unique testimony to the history of the Val Pusteria timber industry.
Guided tours are only possible in SUMMER! For more information, please contact the Valdaora/Olang tourist office.
Deeply under meters of concrete the modern history of the region is being presented in an adventurous way for every age in this bunker active to the very last days of the Cold War. The bunker reflects the conflicts of the region and offers a genuine insight into history. Interesting information about the course of the war is imposed at various stations, surprising every visitor.
The castle's castle consists of an older Gothic castle dating from around 1450 and a western annex from the Renaissance around 1530, in which today's hotel is housed.In the core of the house are remains of a late medieval fortification tower.
The romantic courtyard with fountains and old cedars is framed by 17th and 18th century buildings.
Englar is considered the best preserved gothic castle in South Tyrol The castle was not designed as a defensive castle, but as a noble nobility, it was intended to underline the social position of the then-builders of the Counts of Firmian.
The square building is completed by an imposingly steep Gothic roof and was at that time a revolutionary technical achievement.
Today, our house opens its hospitable gates for travelers and recreation seekers who are sensitive to the generous and stylish ambience of a historic building and appreciate a special and comfortable atmosphere.
The ensemble with ancient trees is rounded off by the Gothic church church of St. Sebastian near the house as well as the adjoining estate with fruit and wine cultures, a small duck pond, an extensive chicken farm and animals lovingly farmed by our
High above Nals, on a rocky mountain ledge at the edge of the Sirmian river canyon, you find the ruins of Castle Payersberg. The castle was built during the first 30 years of the 13th Century by the Payr family, ministerial officers of the Counts of Eppan. The rectangular, four-storey high building had its entrance at the second floor. A staircase led to the third floor, which was used as living quarters. It had a four metre wide window and a fireplace with a drop-like mantle-piece that kept the room warm. From here, it was possible to enter the wooden military area, which protected the castle, through a wooden door. Towards the East, you will find the remains of a Late-Gothic castle chapel. The fortress was renovated in the 16th Century by the knight Jakob of Boymundt-Payersberg and also received new protective walls at that time. An entry towards the North was also added, together with a round tower. Above the entrance, they put the coat of arms of the Payersberg family with the year 1560. Back around 1600, when Marx Sittich of Wolkenstein described the area, he mentioned that the Payersberg was already in ruins and could no longer be inhabited. Most likely, it was the neglect of this building, which brought about the building of Castle Schwanburg in Nals, which was far more suitable for the owners to live in. Until the decline of the Courts of Payersberg in 1791, the castle stayed in their ownership. Today, the Malpaga family uses the building as their main residence, as well as a workplace for the adjacent farmhouse. In Obersirmian, just beside the Rainerhof farmhouse, which is the highest situated farmhouse found in the village of Nals, you will come across a tower-like building, which differs substantially from the surrounding farmhouses and presents itself more like a knight's fortress. This is the so-called Jagdturm (lit: hunting tower), which was used by the Counts of Payersberg during the hunting season and hot summers. The unique tower of Castle Payrsberg, which can be seen from afar and which is used as a landmark in the village, is part of the Nals village logo.
Privately owned - not allowed to visit!
The castle was built between 1622 and 1641 by Engelhard Dietrich von Wolkenstein-Trostburg. It is located between Selva and S.Cristina and was used as a summer and hunting lodge. In 1863, Count Leopold von Wolkenstein-Trostburg granted the castle to S.Cristina municipality to transform it into a almshouse. The castle has been owned by the Franchetti Barons since 1926, and it is currently closed to the public.
The location of Castel Freudenstein makes you enjoy a great view on Bolzano and the mountain ranges of the surroundings. Catinaccio, Sciliar and large parts of the Val d’Adige, this is what you can admire from Castel Freudenstein. This mighty mansion was constructed in the High Middle Ages, in the 13th century.
On the northern side of Bolzano face to Runkelstein Castle lies the antique ruin of Rafenstein castle.
Mysterious eras of the past Food, drinks and an attraction A brief journey back in time to the High Middle Ages. Only the freshly prepared dishes create a rather delicious bridge to the future. Boymont Castle was built as the seat of a noble family in the year 1230. After a fire in 1742, the ruins came into the possession of several owners, until it was finally bought by Fritz Dellago in 1977. The two knights' halls, as well as the stone-framed arched windows, pillars and capitals are worth a visit in their own right. Special dishes: Daily ribs and roast in medieval style made in the smoker. Opening hours Ruin Boymont is open daily from 11.00 till 17.00. Day off on Mondays, except from Mid-September till October.
It was most probably built at the same time (the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century) and probably used for fires that were used as signals. Kreideturm: the tower is situated just 50 m below Burg Hocheppan. Architectural style: a wall, which has now fallen down, surrounded the tower. There are still a few metres visible on the south side. On the other side there is a lower lying entrance that was probably used to light the fires. The inside of the tower is a narrow dark shaft. Walking: all walks to Hocheppan go past this tower.
Seeschlössl: this romantic house is situated on the west bank of the large Montiggl Lake. History: Josef von Zastrow, who came from Germany and also owned Aichberg, in 1888, built it. At this time he also owned both the lakes. In 1902 the village of Eppan took over both lakes. Architectural style: the whole building is very pleasing and blends in well with the scenery. The style is middle Aged, the windows have pointed arches and the gables have a staircase form finish. The painter Max Sparer from Tramin often painted this house. Walking: as soon as you get to know the two Montiggler Lakes, it is no problem to find this beautiful house. Walks through the Spring Valley and round the large lake take you past this house
This ruin overlooking Merano’s old town, the name of which translates to Gunpowder Tower, is located on the Tappeiner Promenade. In the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, the building served as a depository for gunpowder
Myth of the Mountain The museum in Juval Castle in Val Venosta is dedicated to the Magic of the Mountain and houses several fine art collections: a Tibetica collection, a gallery of paintings of the world’s holy mountains, a collection of masks from five continents, a unique Gesar of Ling exhibition, a Tantra Room and the Expedition Cellar. Trained guides are available to explain all the exhibits. There is also a small mountain zoo, home-grown produce at the Schlosswirt tavern, excellent wines in Unterortl and, at the foot of the hill, a farmhouse shop. Juval Castle always makes a big impression in so many ways.
The ruins of Stein Castle at Renon are located below Siffiano between Collalbo and Auna di Sotto. The few imposing remains of the castle ruins rise on an isolated rock above a gorge that drops from Renon into Valle Isarco. Only the south and west walls of the palace remained, the ring walls of the lower situated outer castle have largely fallen into the depths. In the first half of the 13th century, the complex was built by the Lords "de Lapide" (to the stone), destroyed in 1349, then rebuilt and abandoned in the 17th century.
For a long time, the castle, situated on important secondary connections, served as the court seat of Renon. In the 15th century, the Tyrolean sovereigns commissioned a court judge, such as the Bolzano noblewoman Ingenuin ofWeineck as "phleger auf dem Stain" in 1417.
In the fullness of the Überetscher countryside, high among the vineyards and orchards, lies the magnificent mansion of the 15th Century overlooking the idyllic Adige valley. For over 50 years in private property. Since 2022, it has been run, like Castle Freudenstein , by Mrs Karoline Fink and her son Peter Gostner.The place is made for celebrations, which is why the Ansitz Zinnenberg is mainly used for weddings, company parties, Törggelen and other festivities. We will make your celebration an unforgettable event, with all the trimmings: decoration, cuisine and organisation.
Ansitz Zinnenberg is also a hotel with five suites; a special, private retreat. Please feel free to contact us for further information.
Once the "Wirtshaus am Steg". In 1523 the Leb family lived here. Ulrich Leb, called Uez, was a master tailor. In 1568, a bakery with master baker Hans Taz is mentioned for the first time on the lower floor. On the upper floor is the inn, which was probably run as such until the first half of the 17th century. Attempts to make it an inn again in 1670 and 1699 were successfully stopped by the then existing inns "Am Löwen" and "An der Rose" with reference to the few guest houses. After numerous changes of ownership in the following decades, several doctors of wounds moved in here one after the other from 1774 onwards. Only with the Wegscheider family, who have owned the house for several generations, does this place regain its former purpose and become a village bakery and also an inn again.
The two oculi in the attic are remarkable. These openings, also called "ox eyes", are still a widespread element in the façades of historic houses in Montan today.
In 1523, the inn of Laurenz Wurnigger from Carinthia, also called Windisch, who is probably still remembered by the "Windischwald" (forest) above the village. The owner is Juliana Puphtalerin, wife of Wolfgang Canz, a country writer in Rottenburg am Neckar and in 1551 bailiff of the dominion of Bregenz. In 1554, the inn "zum Payr" was sold. Until 1611, this house was called "zum Zotten", before it was renamed "Wirthshaus An der Roten Rosen" (Inn at the Red Roses) by Georg Osterried, the caretaker of the Fuggers at Enn Castle, and in 1619 it fell to Susanna Payr of Caldiff as a debt. After several changes of ownership, Pastor Alexander Giovanelli acquired this house in 1717 and 1725. When he died in 1743, he bequeathed his entire estate to the poor, the church and the brotherhood in Montan, as well as a benefice he had founded in his home village of Carano. Property of the Resch family from 1744 to 1782, then owned by the Zuveith family until 1908. Since 1908 property of the Amplatz family.
A special feature of this house is the Gothic parlour with its richly carved beamed ceiling, which bears witness to around 500 years of living culture. Also preserved are sandstone frames on the entrance door and window, the latter with a pentagram and the year 1565.
Special art - “The art of living and the art of loving” is the very original title of one of the latest books by Partschins/Parcines artist, Matthias Schönweger and, one of his particular mottos is: “Trees are the stuff books are made of”.
Schönweger, writer and collector, is also the owner of 50 imposing wartime bunkers which date back to World War II and are scattered throughout South Tyrol from the Brenner/Brennero Pass southwards.
One of his bunkers can be seen right here in Töll/Tel! These empty fortresses were places of safety and protection during wartime and can tell us much about recent historic events. Schönweger uses these dark, atmospheric constructions to host exhibitions and other cultural events on significant, meaningful themes.
I AM
LIKE MANY OTHERS
MORE OR LESS
A REPRESENTATIVE
OF MANKIND
I PUT MY FOOT IN THINGS
GIVE MY OPINION
AND YOURS, TOO
IN WORD AND PICTURES
AND
WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN
AN
ACTOR/TRAVELLER
IN ACTION LIVE
Matthias Schönweger