When a traveler thinks of Italy, it is likely that their first thought is of friendly people, excellent regional dishes, and Rome. However, there is a lot more to Italy, and South Tyrol has an abundance of castles that are worth taking time to visit.

To learn a little more about the region in general, try this page. Castles are a strong feature of the region, and some have been turned into museums containing the history of both the castle and the area. More advice about traveling the region can be found here.

Castello de Presule

Castello de Presule is a fine example, a jewel of the Dolomites. The building as it stands now was completed in 1517, but a form of fortress or castle has been on the site since before 1279. It was built originally as a fortress by the Lords of the Vols/Fie and was owned by one family until the early 20th century.

Now it is maintained by a Curatorship and is open to the public in the summer months and at Christmas when guided tours can be taken. It is also available as a wedding venue.

Old Bruneck Castle

In the beautiful town of Bruneck stands Old Bruneck Castle, which was built around 1250 by Count Bruon Von Wallenstatten. The first church in the town was built beneath the castle walls by Niklas Stuck, a local burgher. The area is a part of the winter holiday industry, and there are plenty of places to stay should this castle draw your attention.

A main shopping street in Bruneck, South Tyrol — Photo by Hannes Vikoler on Unsplash

Gardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff

Gardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff in Merano is now given over to the botanical gardens that surround the castle. Set in a natural amphitheater, the gardens offer eighty different landscapes as well as wonderful views over the town of Merano and of the mountains.

Castel Firmiano

Castel Firmiano is today owned by the autonomous Bolzano/Bozen province. It houses the Messner Mountain Museum, which was founded by the famous mountaineer Rienhold Messner which opened in 2006. The castle is a restored ruin. It is open between March and November but closed on Mondays.

Castle Taufers

Castle Taufers is noted for its superb wood-paneled rooms and the Pacher style frescoes of its chapel. Due to recent restoration, more areas of the castle are now available for the public to view. Originally built in 1220 by the Taufers family, it grew from a lord's house to the magnificent edifice seen today. It is possible to view the armory and library amongst other displays.

The side and valley of a mountain in the. South Tyrolean Alps. — Photo by Felix Bacher on Unsplash

Trostburg Castle

Trostburg Castle is another superb example and is now a museum open to the public. The Knights Hall, with its coffered ceiling covered in heraldic arms, is one of the 'must-see' parts of the castle. In the central area of the castle is a permanent exhibition based around the history of castle construction.

This link gives an interesting alternative to the approach to visiting castles in the region. Destination three gives you a guide to visiting castles in the area local to Eppan. These include Korb castle (now a luxury hotel) and the ruins of Boymont castle. This link will take you to a list of further castles of interest in the area.

It is clear that castles were an integral part of the history and development of the area. Their sheer number speaks of the need to fortify and protect as it is a border region. Every castle has a history to tell, and the region is one of outstanding beauty, making a visit one of those that are on the 'To-Do' list.