Tures Castle

Tures Castle - "Burg Taufers" in German, "Castel Tures" in Italian - perfectly fits the scenery in which it is located, as the high mountains of the valley serve as background. It rises on a natural elevation belonging to Acereto in the municipality of Valle Aurina at 957 m a.s.l. In succession of a "Castel Tobl" in 1100 AD, the name of Tures Castle was mentioned for the first time in 1225. In the first half of the 14th century the Lords of Tures were in possession of the castle, but when the last member of the family died in 1349 the castle continually deteriorated.

The Romanic part of the castle - the donjon, the residential tower with double arched windows and the chapel - dates back to this time. Only under the Dukes of Austria, the castle was expanded in the 15th century - buildings such as the lavatorium, drawbridges and wall walks were added. Ludwig Lobmayr renovated the castle for the first time in the early 20th century. In 1945, however, Hieronymus Gassner provided for maintenance works.

Today the South Tyrolean Castle Institute, founded in 1963, is in possession of Tures Castle. For the most part the castle is open to the public. The furniture in the 64 rooms is near-completely intact and old tiled stoves heat the residential rooms. Pine panelling, frescos by Friedrich Pacher in the chapel, armoires dating back to different eras, armaments and a huge library provide a special insight into the history of the castle. Special exhibitions and events, such as a children's programme, as well as a castle tavern complete the offer. And how to reach Tures Castle? A walking path leads from Campo Tures in 10 minutes to the castle, whereas a forest road is also accessible by car, but offers only a limited number of parking spaces.