Schloss Tratzberg

The original medieval fortress is believed to date back to the 12th century and served, among other things, to secure the border against Bavaria. Emperor Maximilian I used Tratzberg as a hunting lodge for his excursions into the beloved Tyrolean mountains. When Tratzberg burned down towards the end of the 15th century, he sold it to the Tänzel family, who had become rich through silver mining.

The family rebuilt the castle in the late Gothic style, splendidly and - by the standards of the time - luxuriously. About 50 years later, the Augsburg merchant Ritter von Ilsung acquired Tratzberg Castle, later it passed as an inheritance to the merchant family of the Fugger. During this time, the castle was once again rebuilt and expanded in the spirit of the Renaissance. The beautiful courtyard and magnificent living rooms date from this period. Most of the furnishings are still original. From the 17th century onwards, the castle fell into disrepair as a result of numerous changes of ownership and even stood empty for a long time before it came into the possession of the Enzenberg Counts in 1847. They have used Tratzberg as a residence to this day and have invested a lot in the revitalization and maintenance of the historic walls. Hardly any other castle has preserved so much of its original substance, this fact alone makes Tratzberg so worth seeing. In addition, Tratzberg Castle offers a diverse program for visitors of all ages.

To reach the castle - if the twenty-minute walk seems too strenuous - you can take the Tratzberg Express, a leisure train that departs directly from the castle restaurant. For those interested in art history, there are exciting and entertaining audio guide tours through the wonderful Renaissance rooms, the Habsburg Hall, and the armory. During the atmospheric evening tours, visitors are even guided through the chambers by maidens, knights, and nobles, and can then enjoy a real knight's meal if desired. Special children's tours feature a real knight and even the castle ghost! Many stories, games, and a quiz make the castle tour an unforgettable experience. Tratzberg Castle is also open for children's birthdays. The castle is open from the end of March to the beginning of November.