South Tyrol is one of the most castle-rich regions in Europe, with a total of 800 castles and fortresses. Also around the Kronplatz holiday region you can immerse yourself into medieval sceneries and be fascinated by our breathtaking castle landscape. Two publicly accessible castles that should definitely be on your sightseeing list are the castles of Schloss Bruneck and Schloss Welsperg.
On top of a hill, slightly above the city of Bruneck/Brunico, you can spot the mighty castle walls of Schloss Bruneck. Bishop Bruno von Kirchberg commissioned the construction of the castle on the hill also known as “Schlossberg” in the middle of the 13th century, between 1251 and 1288. Over the course of the many centuries, the fortification was continually modified and extended until, at the beginning of the 16th century, it was turned into a residential castle. Since 2011, the walls of the castle are home to the Messner Mountain Museum Ripa, which focuses entirely on the topic of alpine cultures and offers an insight into the life and traditions of the world's most important mountain cultures.
Located at the entrance to the Gsieser Tal valley, it is the oldest castle in the upper Pustertal valley: Schloss Welsperg. Originally built at the beginning of the 12th century, the characteristic, unusual appearing structure of the castle overlooks the homonymous village and attracts guests not only to visit it in summer, but also to attend numerous exhibitions and concerts in an impressive setting. On a hill right on the opposite side stands the ruin called Ruine Thurn. Today, you can still look at parts of the belfry, the curtain wall and the mantled wall of the former castle of the late 13th century.
