Prince’s Castle

The Prince’s Castle in the village of Burgusio, today a professional school, is enthroned below the famous Monte Maria Monastery

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On the edge of Burgusio, a district of Malles Venosta near the Malles Heath, stands the complex of the Prince’s Castle (Fürstenburg) from the Middle Ages, which can be seen from afar.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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It first appears in a written document in 1292: “…in caso nostro Furstenburch” wrote Bishop Berthold II in one of his papers.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Autumn in the Val Venosta: Above Prince’s Castle, the white building of the highest Benedictine abbey in Europe, Monte Maria, can be seen.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Like the Monte Maria Monastery, also the Prince’s Castle below offers a magnificent view over this part of the Upper Val Venosta towards the Ortles.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The Val Venosta Cycle Path between Resia and the spa town of Merano leads towards Burgusio and past the Prince’s Castle - time for a break.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Since its renovations at the end of the 20th century, the castle complex has been home to a professional school for agriculture and forestry.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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If you are interested in the history of the castle, you can take part in a guided tour during mid-summer months (meeting point at the castle).
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The tours are organised by the Malles Tourist Information and are offered in July and August during the closure of the school.
Foto: AT, © Peer

Built in the 13th century as the seat of the prince-bishops of Coira, the mighty Prince's Castle - "Fürstenburg" in German, "Castello del Principe" in Italian - still stands above Burgusio on the way to the uppermost Val Venosta valley. In 1292, Bishop Berthold II mentioned it for the first time in documents. Today, the venerable walls house a professional school for agriculture and forestry.

Beautiful murals depict knights and coats of arms and adorn the walls in the interior rooms and courtyard of the castle complex. The mighty keep is particularly worth seeing: Its impermeable walls are three metres thick and are the oldest part of the old fortress and stronghold. Other parts were added in the 16th and 17th centuries and are a bit younger. Three decades ago, the tower of the Prince's Castle collapsed and the expansion into the current school followed.

The complex is located directly on the Val Venosta Cycle Path, so it is also a nice destination as a stopover on a bike tour. It can be visited on certain dates in midsummer. And how can the Prince's Castle be reached? The road leads towards Burgusio and past the St. Michael Church, then comes the castle. Parking spaces are available in front of it. It is also easily accessible by public transport: Burgusio is connected to Merano by city bus no. 274, and to the Resia Pass by bus line no. 273.

Contact info

Burgusio / Burgeis 7 - 39024 - Malles Venosta / Mals
+39 0473 831190
info@ferienregion-obervinschgau.it

More information

The Prince's Castle is accessible only during a guided tour which is offered in July and August: During the other months from September to June, the castle can be seen only from the outside.

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