Alle forten en kastelen

There are few places where German- and Italian-speaking cultures intersect as vividly as in Merano – and for over 70 years, the Academy of German-Italian Studies has stood at the heart of this dialogue. Founded in 1949, the Academy embodies openness, intellectual curiosity, and cultural exchange – values that reflect the spirit of Merano itself. Its mission is clear: to connect two great cultural traditions that share a rich, and at times contested, history – and to highlight the creative energy that emerges from this encounter. Through interdisciplinary events, the Academy brings together voices from literature, science, philosophy, and the arts, creating intellectual momentum that resonates far beyond the city. One of the Academy’s most compelling features is its setting: the majestic Villa San Marco, an architectural jewel nestled in a park above Merano’s historic centre. Whether attending a lecture or taking part in a literary discussion in the garden, visitors quickly sense that knowledge here is not only rigorous, but also human, engaging, and alive.

Exciting Insights:
Among the Academy’s historical inspirations is the writer and Nobel laureate Hermann Hesse, who spent time in Merano and held the city dear. His presence is still felt at the summer academies – through readings, discussions, and literary walks in his spirit. In addition to classic lectures, the Academy increasingly embraces contemporary formats that speak to younger audiences: literature workshops, philosophical salons, open-air readings, and round tables on urgent issues such as migration, identity, or climate ethics. All events are held bilingually – sometimes even playfully blending the two languages.
Yet the Academy is not reserved for academics or students. It is open to anyone with a love of language, culture, and new perspectives. This inclusivity is what makes it unique: a place where horizons expand – with curiosity, generosity, and the shared strength of two cultures. To truly understand Merano, one must experience the Academy of German-Italian Studies. It is here that the bridge between North and South is not only imagined – but lived.

The Hill of the Holy Sepulchre is the most beautiful viewpoint of Tiso. The Holy Grave Chapel was built as a baroque building at the end of the 17th century. In it, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ was worshiped. After the entry of Italy into the First World War in May 1915, fortifications were built here on the order of the Austrian Empire army. They should serve as a defense against a possible invasion of Italian troops in the Isarco Valley, if the Dolomite front should fall. The trenches and a bunker were built by Russian prisoners. However, the defenses were not used during the First World War. However, during the final months of World War II, the bunker was used by the village population as protection against air raids and bombing.

The Schlerihaus belongs to the castle complex of Stachlburg: until the year 2000 it stood ugly and ignored at the edge of Peter-Mitterhof-Platz square. For many years the ground floor had served as stables, and the upper floor as temporary housing for harvest workers. It has since been renovated, and several beautiful frescoes salvaged. The Knights’ Hall (Rittersaal) was built around 1700, as a setting for the landlords to host private parties.

Once every autumn since 2009, the current landlord, the Baron von Kripp, opens his beautiful hall to hold a concert in memory of his ancestor, Johann von Stachl. The concert includes selected early music performed on period instruments, organized in collaboration with the Local Heritage Association (Verein für Heimatpflege) of Partschins/Parcines, the Association of Friends of Stachlburg (Verein Freunde der Stachlburg) and the Tourism Association of Partschins-Rabland.

The interiors cannot be visited!

The particular homey character of the feudal Taufers Castle astonishes around 70,000 visitors every year. 

As early as 1136 a noble-free family is named Taufers. In the 1220's the family built a new, generously arranged lord house, whose donjon with an attached living tower is constructed against the mountainside, as this was thought to be the possible attacking side. The powerful Taufers Castle is a dynastic seat of the Barons of Taufers with impressive and interesting fortified grounds.

Another great hall (later used as grain storage room) is located at a secured area in the western part of the castle. The naturally given construction space is delimited by a surrounding curtain wall, where there are different living complexes, attached to it.

In the 15th and 16th centuries the grounds were renovated into an expansive castle residence, most of them built in the early 16th century. The impressive weir system, although, dates back to the 15th century.

Taufers Castle has been in the possession of the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut since 1977. The entire furnished and well preserved castle numbers among the greatest and most beautiful castles of the entire Tyrolean region.

Prices:
Adults:
12€
15€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Students/Pensioners (over 65 years old):
9€
12€/Person (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Children (6-16 years old):
6€
7€ (29.03.2024 - 03.11.2024 including the exhibition)

Brunnenburg Castle stands on a glacial debris cone between Dorf Tirol/Tirolo and Tyrol Castle. This truly unique-looking castle complex is said to be named after a nearby spring. The fortifications date from between 1241 and 1253. The remains of these fortifications also formed the basis of the restoration of the building. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Brunnenburg was restored in a very unusual manner. Today it is a cultural center and home of the South Tyrolean Agricultural museum.

St. Sebastian Chapel dates back to a vow made around 400 years ago, when the plague reached Tiers. At that time, the village was under the administration of the Lords of Völsegg. Fearing that the Black Death might reach his castle, the lord vowed to build a chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian if his family were spared.
Today, the chapel stands as a silent reminder of that era. It can only be viewed from the outside, as the interior is not accessible.

As a place of passage over the Alps, the Upper Vinschgau has always been of military interest. Not only the Romans, the Habsburgs and Napoleon passed through here, but also the Second World War left its traces. Most of these traces, however, are not visible to the naked eye, as they are monumental underground bunkers that were planned as defensive installations and places of refuge. The hidden fortresses were part of the Alpine Wall, but were never used for military purposes.
Today, the architectural relics from the interwar period are embedded in the orchards and pastures of the surrounding area.

Admission by guided tour only!
Bunker guided tours (in German or Italian): every Thursday from June to October. Registration and information on +39 0473 831 190

The Thurn ruins sit on a wooded hill above the Gsieser stream, opposite Welsperg Castle. Built in the 13th century, the fortress was abandoned in the 17th century and destroyed by fire in 1765. The 22 m tower still stands in good condition today. The ruins can be reached on foot and combined with a visit to nearby Welsperg Castle.

This magnificent castle, built by Hugo von Montalban in the year 1278, has been the summer residence of well-known mountaineer Reinhold Messner since 1983 and is one of Messner's five Mountain Museums. The castle houses Messner's extensive collection of fascinating items from Tibet and numerous masks from all over the world as well as interesting paintings of mountain scenes.

This year the museum can be experienced without guidedtours. Instead, visitors can download the trilingual“Locandy-App”, on which Reinhold Messner will guide you through the museum and tell you about it (works like an audioguide on your mobilephone).

Around the village of Teis, from the bottom of the Villnöss valley to the Haube mountain at 1260 m above sea level, you can find a line of partly uncovered and partly hidden trenches, shelters and caverns. These are the remains of the extensive fortifications built as part of the “Barricade of Klausen/Chiusa” at the beginning of the First World War. Over the course of the last century, the trenches have been partly destroyed by human activities and partly reclaimed by nature. A group of locals has taken on the task of investigating the history of these fortifications more closely, preserving them and making them accessible to the public.

The last original, preserved and still functioning water crane in South Tyrol dating from the Austro-Hungarian era is located at the Bad Egart Imperial and Royal Museum (K.u.K. Museum Bad Egart) in Töll/Tel. The water tower was built in 1910 and the accompanying water crane was installed at the same time. Water cranes were used in the 19th century to supply steam locomotives with large amounts of water.

The museum acquired the water crane at the historic railway station in Töll from the Italian Ferrovie dello Stato railway company in the 1980s. It was recently extensively renovated, along with the accompanying water tower, by the provincial authorities in Bozen/Bolzano. The water crane is four meters high and consists of a cast-iron, freestanding vertical pipe with Art Nouveau ornamentation and a rotating arm which can be laterally swung over the track. It weighs 2000 kilograms. An 80-centimeter-tall lamp is attached to the top of the crane, which was powered by gas. In future, this will be mounted again on the water tower. There is a tank made of iron on the upper floor of the water tower, into which the water was pumped from the water reserves adjacent to the site. The amount of water required and the required water pressure could be controlled by means of the water tower and the on-site tank.

In the 19th century, similar water supply systems were located approximately every 25 to 30 km along the railway line and at shorter distances in the low mountains.

History and stories from the castle and the region, an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Prices:

www.burg-heinfels.com

The castle chapel of Hocheppan with its roman frescos is one of the most important roman art monuments in South Tyrol. The centuries old frescos had been painted over and were only entirely laid open in 1926. Besides religious themes, the hunting scene on the exterior wall can be seen as one of the rarest profane depictions in Tyrol dating from this time period. The wall paintings originate from the first decade of the 13th century and show famous illustrations like the foolish virgins, the dumpling eater - the first proof for Tyrolean dumplings - and the picture of 'Maria Heimsuchung' which is well known far beyond the border of South Tyrol.

Note: Hocheppan Castle will be closed for winter break from November 11, 2025, until March 27, 2026, inclusive. From Saturday, March 28, 2026, we warmly welcome you back and look forward to a new season full of history, culture, and enjoyment at Hocheppan Castle!

Centuries ago Dobbiaco’s waters were used by craftsmen and in mills. The historic melting furnace at the Klauskofel in the Val di Landro shows how people in those days used the power of the water to melt ores.
Modern usage of hydro power is demonstrated using the example of a power station.

Further information on Dobbiaco’s Water treasures

At the entrance to the Gsiesertal Valley, Castle Welsperg rises proudly above Welsberg on a rocky terrace – one of South Tyrol’s oldest and best-preserved castles. Its 22 m keep, built in 1126, once served as both watchtower and stronghold. The noble Welsperg family shaped the region’s history for centuries. Today, the castle hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events during the summer.

The former water station in Welsberg, with its octagonal tower, is a remarkable technical monument from the Austro-Hungarian period. Inaugurated in 1871, it served as a “fuel stop” for steam locomotives. Together with the depot and railway houses built in 1926, it forms a rare ensemble of historical railway engineering, protected as a heritage site since 2004.

“It is wonderful here and definitely invigorates soul and body....” so wrote Mahler during his summer stay in Toblach.

During the sommermonth between 1908-1910 Gustav Mahler composed some of his most famous works in this simple wooden cabin in the heart of the Dolomites: the 9th and 10th symphonies and the "Lied von der Erde".

“How can people forever think,” cried Mahler “that Nature lies on the surface! Of course it does, in its most superficial aspect. But those who, in the face of Nature, are not overwhelmed with awe at its infinite mystery, its divinity (we can only sense it, not comprehend or penetrate it) -- these people have not come close to it. […] And in every work of art, which should be a reflection of Nature, there must be a trace of this infinity.”

More informations about composing house

In his honour the town organises the annual Gustav Mahler Music Weeks, when the most famous and beautiful pieces by this famous composer are played.

Dobbiaco also has the Cultural Centre Euregio, where many other concerts and events take place in a historic setting.

The Bunker
A Cold War Relic in South Tyrol
Built between 1938 and 1942 as part of the Toblach defense line, the bunker was only activated in the 1950s under NATO’s defense plans against the Warsaw Pact. It was never used in combat, but espionage was widespread. Abandoned in 1993 and later privatized, it has housed the BunkerMuseum since 2017.

The castle of Salorno stands imposingly on the rocks above the village and is the symbol of the village. Its position makes it one of the most impressive ruins in the Alps. It was built in the Middle Age and during the time it was constantly enlarged. It was in possession of different nobel families and since the 17th century it belongs to the descendants of Earl Zenobio-Albrizzi from Venice. Thank to their help the castle was restored. Since 2003 it can be visited during summer. Nowadays there take place many cultural events during the warm season.

There is a path called "Way of visions" which leads to the hill of the castle in 20 minutes (by foot).

The hydroelectric plant in Töll/Tel was the first large power plant in South Tyrol, built on the initiative of the Mayor of Meran/Merano and Bozen/Bolzano and designed by the Munich engineer Oscar von Miller in 1897; it was connected to the power grid on April 5, 1898. On the site was formerly located the sawmill belonging to the father of the most famous citizen of Partschins/Parcines, Peter Mitterhofer, inventor of the typewriter. The waters from the Etsch river pass through a 16 m long weir at the level of Tel, making it a unique contemporary historical monument. The water enters the surge tank, which is situated at an elevation of 496 m above sea level just above the power station, via a 480 meter long free-flow tunnel with a total volume of 6000 cubic meters. The waters of the Etsch river are dammed here, and the lock house located on three masonry columns covered with porphyry stone, built in 1925 for the operation of the lock. It was renovated in 2003, maintaining its original style, as was the former Zieglbrugg (so named because it was once covered by a roof). There was already an arched bridge built at this site during Roman times, as attested by documents housed in the Johanneum in Innsbruck dating from the 14th and 16th century.

The Peter Mitterhofer cultural trail towards Rabland/Rablà starts next to the two marble plaques commemorating the construction of the power station, as does the Marlinger Waalweg trail as well as the nearby Algunder Waalweg trail; one of the plaques dates from the Austro-Hungarian era and the other from the Fascist era on the occasion of its expansion.

The power plant building is a protected historical monument.

Open air museum "Anderter Alpe":

Many areas of the Dolomites are in the process of setting up projects to enhance the historical testimony of the Great War. Sesto di Pusteria was both victim and protagonist of this tragedy. Sesto di Pusteria is the only place of Germanic language and culture belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to find itself at the front line, undergoing forced evacuation and displacement, and then, together with other places of the South Tyrol, being annexed to Italy. This chance set of events makes Sesto an emblematic place to tell the history of this period, not only for the Tyrolean citizens of today but for all the inhabitants of Europe. The vicissitudes of the civilian population and of the soldiers during this extremely important moment in history have so far surprisingly been neglected, undoubtedly because of the upheaval following the end of the war and annexation to Italy. Given the considerable interest in the First World War that is now emerging in Europe, Sesto has unique and inestimable contribution to make. The Associazione Bellum Aquilarum (Bellum Aquilarum historical association) aims to save from oblivion the surviving testimony to this tragedy in order to preserve it so that it can be handed down to future generations, not only to the young people of Pusteria, but also to those living in places once belonging to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire that were the scenes of battle here. The tragedy experienced so deeply at Sesto and in Pusteria is askin to that of many other areas of Europe which were on the front line or which, after the war, witnessed the havoc brougth on by territorial annexation. The ensuing cultural, historical and political schism was immense; without doubt, these events changed Pusteria but also Europe itself, and today - in a European perspective enabling the age-old tensions issuing from the war to be overcome - preserving these memories can aid us in the construction of our common future.

On a hill above Mareit near Sterzing rises Wolfsthurn Castle, described by the Tyrolean historian Johann N. Tinkhauser in the 19th century as “the most beautiful castle in all Tyrol”.

The baroque castle has since its building been in the possession of the Sternbach family, and since 1996 has accommodated the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing.

The Museum displays the originally furnished ceremonial rooms as well as a rich cultural and historical collection on the history of hunting and fishing.

The interesting “Forest and Water” walking trail leads to the castle.

The mighty buildings of Castle Schenna just above the city of Meran are still partly surrounded by a moat. Using the bridge, you will come to the entrance of Castle Schenna and from there, if you pass the dungeon, you’ll arrive in the courtyard. An open staircase will lead you to the castle chambers. Castle Schenna in South Tyrol is open for guided tours. Only the wing containing the private rooms of the count’s family remains closed to the public. The halls and grand chambers are home to a painting and portrait gallery, a weapons collection, as well as numerous art-historic objects of Tyrolean history.

Guided tours:
Tuesday to Friday at 11.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. and every Monday and Thursday guided evening tours at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday closed.

Online registration required:
https://www.schloss-schenna.com/anmeldung-fuehrungen-831191.html

An old villa, a lush park, and stories waiting beneath the surface – Villa Freischütz in Merano is more than just a museum. It’s a place of memory, a lens into a time often overlooked in South Tyrol: the interwar years. Built in 1909 as a summer residence, the villa bore witness to Merano’s golden age as a spa destination. But what makes its collection truly unique is its authenticity: the legacy of the von Franz Fromm family, who lived in the house for nearly a century. Here, history isn’t pieced together from textbooks. It lives in the furniture, the photographs, the clothing, the handwritten notes. It tells of a world in transition – of monarchy fading, Italian rule emerging, and a society caught between tradition and change.
Exciting Insights:
• The collection features more than 10,000 original objects – many of them carefully arranged throughout the house to evoke the feel of a lived-in home.
• The villa offers intimate “living room tours”: guests can wander freely through parlors, studies, and bedrooms, guided by the personal stories behind the objects.
• A highlight: the expansive park with towering old trees and hidden sculptures – perfect for reflecting after a journey through time.
For culture lovers, Villa Freischütz offers a different perspective on Merano. Not just as a refined spa town, but as a mirror of social and political transformation. The museum’s concept is intentionally personal: there are no long-winded wall texts or physical barriers. Instead, letters, accessories, and household items speak for themselves – sometimes quietly, sometimes disarmingly direct. Among jazz records and Art Nouveau vases, patriotic postcards and delicate diary entries, a rich mosaic unfolds – layered, complex, and deeply human.
This is no conventional museum. It’s a home that invites exploration, reflection, and conversation. And that’s precisely what makes Villa Freischütz one of the most fascinating places for those who don’t just want to study history – but truly feel it.

Since the collapse of the unusually powerful donjon in 1807 only ruins; The castle consisted of the freestanding mountain fried, the house with castle entrance and farm buildings, surrounded by a large curtain wall; whose new mansion is now located below the castle for 800 years owned by the Counts Brandis. No visit possible.

“It is wonderful here and definitely invigorates soul and body....” so wrote Mahler during his summer stay in Toblach.

During the sommermonth between 1908-1910 Gustav Mahler composed some of his most famous works in this simple wooden cabin in the heart of the Dolomites: the 9th and 10th symphonies and the "Lied von der Erde".

“How can people forever think,” cried Mahler “that Nature lies on the surface! Of course it does, in its most superficial aspect. But those who, in the face of Nature, are not overwhelmed with awe at its infinite mystery, its divinity (we can only sense it, not comprehend or penetrate it) -- these people have not come close to it. […] And in every work of art, which should be a reflection of Nature, there must be a trace of this infinity.”

More informations about composing house

In his honour the town organises the annual Gustav Mahler Music Weeks, when the most famous and beautiful pieces by this famous composer are played.

Dobbiaco also has the Cultural Centre Euregio, where many other concerts and events take place in a historic setting.

The former water station in Welsberg, with its octagonal tower, is a remarkable technical monument from the Austro-Hungarian period. Inaugurated in 1871, it served as a “fuel stop” for steam locomotives. Together with the depot and railway houses built in 1926, it forms a rare ensemble of historical railway engineering, protected as a heritage site since 2004.

Tyrol Castle is the most historically significant castle in South Tyrol. Its origins stretch back into the late 11th century.

Since 2003 Tyrol Castle has housed the South Tyrolean Museum of History. Its main focus is the history of the province from its beginnings to modern times.

The oldest structural elements can be found in church excavations in the outer bailey (three building phases, three-apse chamber from the 9th century). The south palace contains the two Romanesque portals. The two-storey castle chapel is dedicated to St. Pancras and is famous for its gothic frescoes. What is believed to be the wedding chamber of Countess Margarethe of Tyrol, known as Maultasch (literally “bag mouth”), is situated in the Mushaus. The keep, which was only completed after 1902, now houses an exhibition of the history of the 20th century depicted over twenty separate levels. The historic estate buildings house special exhibitions.

The Fahlburg in Prissian/Prissiano ranks among South Tyrol’s most beautiful Renaissance castles. Its high-quality furnishings and remarkable state of preservation mark it as a monument of significant artistic and historical importance.

From its first documented mention in the second half of the 13th century until the late 16th century, the Fahlburg was a modest residential tower - still visible today on the northern side of the castle. Remnants of the corner masonry can be seen in two rooms on the first and second floors. Known originally as the “Turm in der Vall”, it was inhabited by the Herren von Zobel until their line died out in the second half of the 14th century. In 1368, the rather modest estate passed to Herren von Wehrburg, namely Linhardt von Wehrburg, who was married to Barbara von Boymont. When Linhardt died childless, Barbara refused to vacate the Fahlburg and transfer the inheritance to her husband’s cousin. Not even a court ruling in 1388 persuaded her to leave. As Barbara Jäger– her name after her second marriage to Martin Jäger – she spent decades disputing her inheritance of Hauenstein Castle in Seis am Schlern with the famous minstrel Oswald von Wolkenstein. In the autumn of 1421, she had him imprisoned in the Fahlburg, where he was allegedly tortured until he surrendered properties he had unlawfully appropriated. Only after Barbara’s death could the Herren von Andrian-Wehrburg finally take possession of their inheritance in 1430. In 1597, Jakob Andrä von Brandis, then governor of Tyrol, purchased the “estate in the Vall” and immediately began extensive renovations. It was here that he wrote his “Geschichte der Landeshauptleute von Tirol”, considered the foundation of Tyrolean historiography. His son, Veit Benno von Brandis, continued the renovations between about 1640 and 1660, transforming the once modest noble residence into a regular quadrangular complex with two façade towers. The interiors were lavishly appointed with grand halls, rich wood panelling, ornate tiled stoves, and mythological and biblical paintings, some by the renowned Baroque artist Stefan Kessler. The castle chapel, dedicated to All Saints, was also constructed during this period. The Fahlburg then served as a seat of justice until 1831. In 1678, Franz Adam von Brandis, Jakob Andrä’s grandson, composed another important historical work here.In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the Fahlburg became a distinguished venue for literary and cultural events, including the presentation of the prestigious Petrarca Prize by Hubert Burda and Peter Handke. Among its notable guests was the Czech writer and president Václav Havel, who visited several times. For a time, the castle also housed a café and has long been a popular setting for weddings, concerts, and receptions.

After more than 400 years of family ownership, the castle was sold to the Athesia Group in 2021. Between late 2023 and early 2024, it underwent an extensive restoration by architects Zeno Bampi and Klaus Ausserhofer, who sensitively brought the building into the present day with modern additions. Today, the Fahlburg serves primarily as a venue for festive occasions such as weddings, readings, receptions, and other celebrations, with newly refurbished guest rooms available for visitors.

Visits are by guided tour only. See www.tisensprissian.com/events for details.

The Masters of Braunsberg were first mentioned in the records in 1213; from 1492 in the possession of the Counts Trapp, latterly inherited by the Counts Strachwitz, who restored the castle; simple layout with a curtain wall, residential building, tower-like and chapel (St. Blasius).

The castle towering high above the Gaulschlucht gorge is a landmark of Lana. It was the seat of the Lords of Braunsberg mentioned in 1213, belonged to the Trapp Counts Matsch from 1492 to 1969 until Braunsberg Castle passed into the inheritance of the Counts Strachwitz in 1969.  

The small and simple complex, part of which fell into the Gaulschlucht gorge in 1510, consists of a curtain wall, residential building, tower-like outbuilding and the St. Blasius Chapel. It was first mentioned in a document in 1323, but is certainly older because of its Romanesque architectural style and was originally located outside the castle walls.

Various stylistic periods can be found: The portal dates from the late Gothic period, the open pulpit from 1538, the crucifixion group and the figures of Saints Vigilius and Blasius from 1592 with frames from 1669 and the Baroque altar from 1690.

The castle is privately owned and cannot be visited.