Description of the attraction
The Tyrolean castle, located near the town of Meran in the Dolomites, was once the ancestral estate of the Tyrolean counts, and later gave its name to the entire Italian region of South Tyrol.
The hill on which the castle stands has been inhabited since antiquity, as evidenced by some artifacts and burials from the early Middle Ages found here. Archaeologists have also unearthed a church with three apses at the site, dating from the early Christian period.
The first castle was built in 1100. The second phase of construction was carried out in 1139-1140 - then the main tower was added. Finally, in the second half of the 13th century, by order of Count Meinhard II, some more construction work was carried out. Until 1420, the castle was the residence of the rulers of Tyrol, and then Duke Frederick IV, nicknamed the Empty Pocket, moved it to the Austrian Innsbruck.
In the 18th century, part of the castle collapsed into the sheer Köstengraben gorge, and the building itself was even sold to be used as a quarry. However, in the 19th century, the ancient castle was restored (the main keep was restored in 1904). Taking into account the works of art in the castle - the frescoes in the chapel and two Romanesque portals with chic marble sculptures depicting mythological characters and geometric ornaments - it was decided to preserve this architectural monument. Today it houses the Museum of the History of South Tyrol. And next to the castle there is a falconry, where birds are raised to participate in falconry.
