Tyrol Castle, Tirolo, Italy

Tyrol Castle was the ancestral seat of the Counts of Tyrol and gave the whole Tyrol region its name.

The castle hill has been inhabited since ancient times. Several artefacts and one field of graves from the early Middle Ages have been identified. Archeologists have excavated a church with three apses dating from the early Christian period.

The first castle was built before 1100. The second construction phase including the keep dates to 1139-1140. A third phase of construction took place in the second half of the 13th century under Count Meinhard II of Gorizia-Tyrol. In 1347 Meinhard's granddaughter Countess Margaret of Tyrol was besieged here by the forces of the Luxembourg king Charles IV. The castle remained the seat of Tyrol's sovereigns until 1420, when the Habsburg archduke Frederick IV moved the administrative seat to Innsbruck north of the Brenner Pass.

In modern times parts of the castle fell into the so-called 'Köstengraben', a steep gorge. It was even sold in order to be used as a quarry. In the 19th century the castle was restored; the keep was rebuilt in 1904.

Regarding art history, the frescos of the castle's chapel are of special interest as well as two Romanesque portals with opulent marble sculptures showing legendary creatures, religious themes, and geometric ornaments.

Today, Tyrol Castle houses the South Tyrolean Museum of History. Next to the castle there is a falconry with a nursing ward for birds of prey.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Annemarie Dreyer (2 years ago)
Be sure to wear your walking shoes. You can't drive up to the castle, park in the town. Stunning views from the castle. Interesting enough, although the numbers on the audio guide don't correspond with what you see.

Sarah Norris (2 years ago)
Great castle showcasing the history of South Tyrol as a region. Pleasant walk from Tyrol village and well-connected to Meran. Also included is a very informative booklet accompanying the exhibition.

Donna Arnold (2 years ago)
The exterior looks excellent. The interior has lost the feel of what living then was like but still good be able to walk through it.

Daniela Marks (3 years ago)
Beautifully kept castle with the history of the chappel reaching back to 300 a.d. reaching. A beautiful, informative and interactive exhibit in a magical fairy tale castle setting, makes for a great day excursion.

Amol Kaikini (3 years ago)
The hike to the castle is spectacular. The castle, its store and exhibits are interesting.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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