Tyrolean castle (Castel Tirolo) description and photos - Italy: Dolomites (Topic)

Tyrolean castle (Castel Tirolo) description and photos - Italy: Dolomites. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Castel Tirolo.

Photo and description

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 of 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, some more construction work was carried out by order of Count Meinhard II. Until 1420, the castle was the seat 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 Kostengraben gorge, and the building itself was even sold to be used as a quarry. However, in the 19th century, the old castle was restored (the main donjon 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.

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Topic: Tyrolean castle (Castel Tirolo) description and photos - Italy: Dolomites.