On your holiday in South Tyrol, the Middle Ages are still at your grasp. More than 780 castles and manors sit on top of ledges or are nestled in vineyards, hosting museums, collections or castle hotels and restaurants. A visit to the nearby Rodengo Castle or the Rio de Pusteria Defile are a perfect start to your holiday!

Fortezza Fortress

An impressive fortress made of solid granite boulders, visibly invulnerable and dominating the narrow section of the valley South of a reservoir: the Fortezza fortress was built between 1833 and 1839 and was named after Emperor Francis Joseph I of Austria. At the time, it was the strongest fortress in Europe. However, this defence work was never involved in serious battles and was soon technically outdated. However, it has characterised the landscape ever since.

Bishop's Palace in Bressanone

The courtyard of the Bishop's Palace, with its Renaissance loggias, its closed baroque facades, the old gate, with its baroque marble portal and the chapel turret, is certainly one of South Tyrol's most fascinating palaces. Spread across 70 show rooms, the Diocesan Museum hosts an art collection which covers objects ranging from precious Medieval sculptures and panel paintings to art of the modern era including the treasure of the Cathedral of Bressanone (Domschatz), the Emperor's Wing (Kaisertrakt), the Bishop's Wing (Bischofstrakt) and the baroque chapel. A crib of around 5,000 figures is at display on the ground floor.

Rio di Pusteria Defile

Originally, the Rio di Pusteria defile was a fortification and a customs post. It was built by Meinhard II of Tyrol in 1260. Unfortunately, that part was destroyed, whereas the more recent part built between 1460 and 1480 by archduke Sigmund can still be seen thanks to the ruins which are in place today. Some years ago, the ruins were restored at great cost and are now again open for visitor during summer.

Rodengo Castle

This castle was built by the noblemen of Rodank in 1140 and was expanded during the 16th century by the noblemen of Wolkenstein to become one of the most powerful castles of Tyrol. The former drawbridge, the towers, walls and merlons, the picturesque courtyard, the outer ward, the armoury and the St. Michael's chapel give the full impression of a medieval castle. The fresco cycle featuring 11 scenes from the Ywain saga as adapted from the courtly-chivalric epic by German poet Hartmann von Aue are particularly worth seeing.

Sigmundskron Castel near Bolzano

The bishops of Trento built their main castle on one of the hills surrounding Bolzano in order to pronounce judgements. In 1473, the castle was acquired and rebuilt by archduke Sigismund der Münzreiche.
In 2006, world-famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner transformed the castle into his Messner Mountain Museum (MMM Firmian). The encounter of man and mountain is at the core of this exhibition, which features pictures, paintings, sculptures and objects of art collected during his numerous expeditions.

Trauttmansdorf Castle near Merano

The sun-kissed place and the mild climate of this castle have been appreciated for centuries. Several times, none other than Empress "Sissi" of Austria came to stay in this manor with her family. After the Second World War, the castle decayed increasingly and in 1977 it was acquired by the South Tyrol authorites. Today, the castle hosts the South Tyrol Museum of Tourism.

Wolfsthurn Castle in Mareta near Vipiteno

The magnificent rooms, which have been perfectly maintained, convey an idea of aristocratic life and courtly hunting in the 18th and 19th century. The castle hosts exhibitions about hunting, fishery, popular art related to hunting, and the history of the Wolfsthurn Castle.

Tures Castle

Once belonging to the Taufers family dynasty, the castle was acquired by the South Tyrolean Castle Association in 1977. During the 15th and 16th century it was refurbished to become an extended habitable castle. This fully furbished and very well maintained castle figures among the most beautiful castles of the entire region of Tyrol. It hosts a collection of fittings and art objects dating from various periods (12th to early 17th century) that is well worth seeing. Around two thirds of the 64 rooms are panelled. The frescoes in the chapel by the famous medieval painter Friedrich Pacher are particularly precious.