The ancestral castle of the Counts of Tyrol gave its name to the entire land that emerged in the 13th century under Count Meinhard II, and as the residence of the sovereigns, it was of supra-regional importance until the 15th century.
The castle hill was already settled in prehistoric times, and the foundations of an early Christian church from the 6th century were also discovered. The castle itself dates back to the 11th century in its oldest parts. The magnificent marble portals in the core castle, densely decorated with figures and ornaments, are considered to be the highlights of Romanesque art in the Alpine region. Also remarkable is the two-story castle chapel with its rich fresco decoration and the crucifixion group from the 14th century. The altarpiece, created around 1370, is the oldest surviving winged altarpiece in the Alpine region.
In two further construction phases in the 12th and 13th centuries, the castle was expanded even larger and more representative, a highly visible sign of the power and wealth of the Tyrolean counts. However, in 1363, Margaret Maultasch, the last of the Meinhardiner line in Tyrol, had to cede the land to the Habsburgs, and in 1420, Duke Frederick with the Empty Pockets moved the residence to Innsbruck. After that, Castle Tyrol fell into disrepair and was eventually only inhabited by a castle warden, a castle chaplain, and a forester. The fragility of the rock of the castle hill did its part, parts of the castle collapsed into the so-called "Köstengraben." In the 17th century, the entire north side, where the princely rooms were located, was therefore demolished. In 1816, the city of Merano acquired the castle and soon after gave it to Emperor Franz I.
However, it wasn't until the end of the 20th century that Castle Tyrol was awakened from its slumber, when the South Tyrolean regional government decided to establish the regional museum here, at this symbolic location. After several years of careful and thorough renovation and restoration, the regional museum was ceremoniously opened in 2003. Visitors can now expect one of the most modern and exciting museums in the Alpine region, which showcases the history of Tyrol from its beginnings to the present day. The presentation of South Tyrol's history in the 20th century in the keep is particularly impressive. The former economic wing provides space for regularly changing special exhibitions. The crypt and the knights' hall serve as a atmospheric venue for celebrations and concerts; in the summer, the highly popular festive soirees take place at Castle Tyrol.
If you want to gain an even better insight into the history of the castle and the Counts of Tyrol, we recommend participating in a historical guided tour. This lasts about 1 hour and is offered for groups by appointment.
Castle Tyrol South Tyrol
South Tyrolean Museum of Cultural and Regional History
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