Rodenegg Castle

Rodenegg Castle (Castel Rodengo) was built by Friedrich I of Rodank in 1140. The castle is located between Sciaves and Rio di Pusteria in the municipality of Rodengo in Valle Isarco on a small rock outcrop, steeply descending into the gorge of the Rienza river. Castel Rodengo is one of the most majestic fortresses of its time in South Tyrol and you will be astonished by its position and by the large number of rooms and cellars of the complex.

The Lords of Rodank were significant ministerials and up to the extinction of this house around 1300, the castle was in possession of this family. Thereupon Castel Rodengo was subject to territorial city administration for 200 years, until it passed on to the Counts of Wolkenstein-Rodenegg. In the 16th century the castle has been expanded by the family of the famous minne singer Oswald von Wolkenstein and transformed into a majestic building. Still today offsprings of this family are in possession of the castle and parts are even inhabited. Inside the antique walls there is also a museum.

The majority of the furniture of the showrooms date back to late Renaissance. Unique and capturing is above all the famous “Iwein cycle”, which has been discovered and layed open only in 1972. This fresco cycle to the Iwein epos of Hartmann von Aue represents the oldest profane mural paintings in the German speaking area. Probably it was painted between 1200 and 1220. The 11 paintings, which can be admired in the tap room of the castle, narrate the legend of Iwein, one of 12 knights at the court of King Artus.

References:

• suedtirolerland.it

Address

Gifen, Rodengo, Italy

Details

Founded: 1140
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy