Museum for Medieval Culture of Living

Palù-Schulthaus Castle: Explore a medieval kitchen, a Gothic parlour, and fascinating frescoes

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video : Moos Castle in Appiano
Wonderful castle region: In Appiano on the South Tyrolean Wine Road, a museum tells about the Middle Ages and how people lived in those days.
Foto: AT, © Peer
The ensemble Palù Castle and Schulthaus Residence in Appiano Monte is home to the Museum of Medieval Culture of Living.
Foto: AT, © Peer
In addition to antique furnishings, there are also interesting wall paintings dating back to the middle of the 15th century.
Foto: ED, © Peer
The panelled parlour with brick stove and handcrafted ceiling dates back to the Gothic period around 1470 AD.
© Museum Schloss Moos-Schulthaus
The medieval kitchen is also part of the guided tour: The parlour, called “Stube” in dialect, is the main living room, which can be heated without smoke and is directly connected to it.
© Museum Schloss Moos-Schulthaus
The hunting chamber is another impressive room: On the walls you can see a large-scale deer hunt and a bear hunt.
© Museum Schloss Moos-Schulthaus
Above the outer door near the flight of steps on the north side, the marble coat of arms of the Lords of Schulthaus can still be seen today.
© Museum Schloss Moos-Schulthaus
The first floor of the west wing contains a single large room with vats, originally used for wine production.
Foto: AT, © Peer
You can visit the Museum of Medieval Culture of from Tuesday to Sunday between Easter and October (booking required).
Foto: EMS, © Peer

The complex of Palù-Schulthaus Castle in Appiano, located in South Tyrol's castle region, houses the Museum for Medieval Culture of Living (Museum für mittelalterliche Wohnkultur). Opened in 1983, it offers fascinating glimpses into life in bygone eras. You can explore various rooms, including an original, perfectly preserved medieval kitchen.

In addition to the kitchen, there's a Gothic parlour, called Stube in South Tyrol, and other remarkable features. The frescoed rooms include a hunting chamber and a bedroom with a four-poster bed. The wall paintings are particularly noteworthy: Dating from around 1470-75, they were later painted over and only rediscovered during restoration work in the 20th century.

Interestingly, in the "Cat and Mouse War" fresco, the mice are victorious. Other frescoes depict hunting scenes and a miraculous tree from which women pluck phallic symbols - representing fertility and strength. Palù-Schulthaus Castle's exterior is also intriguing: Because the walls are unplastered, the different building phases are clearly visible.

The Museum for Medieval Culture of Living is open by appointment only, but a visit is well worth it. How to get there: Palù-Schulthaus Castle is near Appiano Monte, a hamlet of Appiano on the Wine Road. It's accessible via a narrow road, and the 135 bus also stops in Appiano Monte.

Contact info

Via Palù / Schulthauserweg 4 - 39057 - Appiano Monte / Eppan Berg
+39 0471 053906 / +39 335 7068118
info@moos-schulthaus.it

Opening times

Visit to the museum only with guided tour and upon reservation:

Admission

€ 10.00 adults
€ 7.00 groups (10 and more persons)
€ 7.00 seniors
€ 5.00 students
€ 2.50 school classes (up to 18 years)

free for children under 6 years

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family ticket:

€ 20.00 per family

More information

The Museum for Medieval Culture of Living stays open every year from April to November and is accessible only upon prior reservation (guided tour). Monday rest day, it remains closed in winter.

The guided tours are held in German, Italian, and - upon request - English language from Tuesday to Sunday at 11 am, noon time, 2 pm and 3 pm, upon reservation also at 10 am resp. 4 pm.

Also the guided tour "Historical art treasures" by the Appiano Tourist Office will take you to Palù Castle: It is offered from April to November.

Season start 2026 at the beginning of April.

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