Naturno Castle

In the middle of Naturno village, the main locality of the municipality, stands an old castle. All around spread the vineyards and apple orchards of the Monte Sole, which is known for its very sunny slopes and steppe-like vegetation. The construction of Naturno Castle - "Burg Hochnaturns" in German, "Castel Naturno" in Italian - dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and initially consisted only of a Romanesque tower. The builders were the ministerials of the Counts of Tyrol.

In the course of time, it was rebuilt, extended and parts were added, so that finally an entire castle stood on this place. The tower was named "Oswaldturm" after Oswald of Naturno, a knight of the Teutonic Order. Since then, Naturno Castle was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Naturno. Today it is considered the landmark of the village. The medieval furniture, the coffered ceilings, paintings, tiled stoves and other furnishings in the lordly rooms are remarkable. This ambience housed a hotel for several decades before the listed building was sold to two families from Naturno.

And how can Naturno Castle be reached? It towers about one kilometre above the village centre on the Castle Path (Schlossweg). Just below is the Naturno Adventure Thermal Baths, parking spaces are available in the village. The bus line no. 251 connects Merano with Naturno. On foot, the Naturno Wallburg Path, especially recommended in autumn, passes by near the complex. The castle itself is privately owned and can unfortunately only be visited from the outside.