Trostburg Castle

Trostburg Castle - "Trostburg" in German, "Castel Trostburg" or "Castel Forte" in Italian -, one of the most splendid castles of South Tyrol, is located on a natural rocky promontory above Ponte Gardena. The history of the castle dates back to the 12th century - it was mentioned for the first time in 1173 as place of residence of a certain "Cunrat de Trosperch" (Konrad of Trostberg), descending from the Lords of Castelrotto. In 1290, the castle was passed on from the Lords of Velturno to the Lords of Tyrol, who put the castle in pawn. For about 600 years the castle remained in possession of the Earls of Wolkenstein-Trostburg, one of the main nobilities of Tyrol. In those times, the Mediaeval composer and poet Oswald von Wolkenstein grew up here (1377 - 1445).

Between the 14th and the 16th century, the castle was fundamentally enlarged and once more in the 17th century, under Engelhard Dietrich of the nobility Wolkenstein-Trostburg. In 1981, the castle was passed on into the hands of the South Tyrolean Castle Institute and thus was saved from decay. This institution strives for maintaining the special character of the castle and for making it available for public. Since 2005, Trostburg Castle has been hosting the South Tyrolean Castles Museum. Still today it is in a good state thanks to restoration and maintenance works.

There are Roman archways and arched windows, majestic panels and rooms dating back to the 16th and 17th century as well as mouldings of Renaissance in the interior of Trostburg Castle. Worth to be visited are especially the Gothic Stube with panels and richly decorated beam ceiling as well as the library, which is one of the most famous of its day. And how to reach Trostburg Castle? It is accessible only by foot. The Trostburg Path leads from Ponte Gardena (parking space) along a medieval paved path in a 15-minute walk to the castle. The Burgfrieden Path, however, is less steep but longer (30 minutes).