Trostburg Castle, Waidbruck, Italy

The impressive Trostburg Castle in Valle Isarco hosts the South Tyrolean Castles Museum. This one of the most famous and splendid castles of South Tyrol is located on an eastern hillside on a natural rocky promontory. The history of the castle dates back to the 12th century - it has been mentioned for the first time in 1173 AD as place of residence of a certain “Cunrat de Trosperch” (Konrad of Trostberg), descending from the Lords of Castelrotto. At 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 von Wolkenstein-Trostburg, one of the main nobilities of Tyrol.

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 “Südtiroler Burgeninstitut” (South Tyrolean Castle Institute) and thus was saved from decay. This institution strives for maintaining the special character of the castle and for making the castle available for public. Since 2005 Castel Trostburg has been hosting the South Tyrolean Castles Museum.

Still today the castle is in a good state thanks to restoration and maintenance works. There are Roman archways, majestic panels and rooms dating back to the 16th and 17th century as well as mouldings of Renaissance in the interior of Castel Trostburg. Worth to be visited are also the Gothic room with panels and richly decorated beam ceiling as well as the library, which is one of the most famous of its day.

References:

suedtirolerland.it

User Reviews

Joseph Raczynski (3 years ago)
If for nothing else, the viewpoint is excellent looking down upon the town.

Susan Swingholm (3 years ago)
Lovely old castle lived in up until 1960’s by one family for 600 years. Tour guide who lived onsite and whose family has worked there for decades, was lovely and spoke slowly so we could attempt to understand her. Saw lots of the castle. Fabulous views. Great old but steep cobbled walk up but returned on newer paved road.

Antonio Mair (3 years ago)
It is unbelievable that in 2022 still they don’t have a guide that speak English or at least a printout to explain the history of the castle in English. All in German barely in Italian. Just to remind that Trentino Alto Adige is still Italia. The old woman was not friendly at all. Very arrogant and rude. Maybe time for retirement.

Sarah Odom (4 years ago)
Very positive experience! But they speak German and Italian. As English speakers we got to enjoy the castle but not the history. The castle is in pristine condition and is well manicured!

Ruud Scholten (4 years ago)
Lovely little castle with a great view

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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