SÜDTIROL ALTO ADIGE PLACES # 1 THE SOUTH TYROL LOCATION TOUR

Transcription

1 SÜDTIROL ALTO ADIGE PLACES # 1 THE SOUTH TYROL LOCATION TOUR

2 PLACES #1 - The Locations Church of S. Benedetto (St. Benedikt) in Malles (Mals) The Church of St. Benedict, which is located on the outskirts of the intriguing medieval village of Malles in the Upper Val Venosta (Vinschgau), is undoubtedly one of South Tyrol s most noteworthy treasures of art history. The murals are representative of the Carolingian period, with significance on a level that goes beyond the borders of South Tyrol. The church s location was originally quite strategic: it probably lay directly on a medieval arterial road that dates back to the Via Claudia Augusta, a Roman thoroughfare that linked Italy with the western half of the empire. Contact: Helene Dietl Laganda, helene.dietl@dnet.it Fröhlich Tower in Malles The historical heart of the village of Malles, located in the Upper Val Venosta, is extraordinarily rich in architecture that dates back to the Middle Ages, particularly in Romanesque buildings. These include the round keep of the old Malsburg Castle, which is now called Fröhlich Tower, after a later owner. Fröhlich Tower is situated on the valley floor, which is quite unusual for a Tyrolean castle. This position places the structure into the category of a village or city stronghold. The castle consisted of a quadrangular wall with bricked dovetailed battlements and residential and commercial wings attached. The striking round keep has a weighty appearance, and is freestanding in the centre of the high medieval site. Contact: Helene Dietl Laganda, helene.dietl@dnet.it The Church of S. Vito sul Colle di Tarces (St. Veit am Tartscherbühel) The Romanesque Church of S. Vito sul Colle di Tarces is perched on a hill that protrudes into the Val d Adige (Etschtal). A visit of the church is worthwhile more for the tranquillity of the site, the nature that surrounds it, and the magnificent view than for the actual buildings or facilities. Contact: Helene Dietl Laganda, helene.dietl@dnet.it

3 The Town of Glorenza (Glurns) The little town of Glorenza in the Upper Val Venosta is situated at a spot that was most likely an important traffic junction as far back as Roman times. Here, there was probably a road leading into what is Switzerland today that branched off the Roman Via Claudia Augusta, which leads across the Passo di Resia (Reschenpass). This passage was also significant as a trade route in the early Middle Ages and under the Carolingians. Glorenza is the only village in South Tyrol with city walls that are completely intact. In recent decades, extensive modern-day reconstruction work has left the town which has scarcely expanded outside of the carefully restored walls largely unscathed. Within the town and the surrounding areas, there are several churches that have predominantly Baroque interiors. In the southwest corner of town, there is a complex of buildings with a medieval core that served as the seat of the judge and bailiff. Other noteworthy sights in Glorenza include the portici covered arcades, which represent the heart of the medieval market town. Contact: Tourismusbüro Glurns, glurns@rolmail.net Coira (Churburg) Castle Churburg Castle is a sprawling complex that extends across a hill in Upper Val Venosta, outside the village of Schluderns. Churburg has been continuously inhabited, and is one of South Tyrol s best-preserved castles. The heart of the complex comprised a massive keep, a multistorey palace for residential purposes, and a crenellated wall. In addition to a large number of richly furnished rooms, there are traditional Stuben parlours with wood panelling, which were heated with stoves, a magnificent library, and the widely acclaimed armoury. Contact: Graf Johannes J. Trapp, T:

4 The Ruins of Montechiaro (Lichtenberg) Castle The remains of Montechiaro Castle, located in the Upper Val Venosta, comprise one of the most impressive ruins in South Tyrol. The widely visible remnants of parts of the walls, most of which were plastered, still convey an impression of the original lustre. A visit to Montechiaro is a unique experience for anyone interested in medieval fortifications. Contact: Kurt Karl Stecher Arch., office@schlosslichtenberg.com Coldrano (Goldrain) Castle Parts of Coldrano Castle originate from a Romanesque castle, and thus can be dated all the way back to the twelfth century. In the fifteenth century, the Hendl family turned the castle into a grand Renaissance palace through extensive renovations, but a decline in the house during the nineteenth century led to progressive decay. In the late twentieth century, the structure was lovingly restored as a result of a cultural initiative. The castle s many sumptuous interior spaces graced with elaborate woodwork, finely crafted coffered ceilings, and antique stoves are especially noteworthy. The boldly vaulted architecture gives the castle some characteristics that make it similar in feel to a monastery. Contact: Dr. Claudia Santer, Santer@schloss-goldrain.com Tyrol Castle Tyrol Castle, which is located above the town of Merano (Meran), was the ancestral castle of the Counts of Tyrol and the county seat up until Duke Frederick IV of Austria, also known as Frederick of the Empty Pockets, moved his residence to Innsbruck in The castle, which was built between 1077 and 1100, is situated atop a mound of glacial deposits of sand and gravel. Large parts of the former western circular wall and the lower parts of the great hall to the south still bear witness to this structure. In addition, the complex has a castle chapel, a dungeon, several farm buildings, and a wall-walk. Contact: Hermann Fiegl, info@schlosstirol.it

5 Castel del Gatto (Katzenzungen) Castle Castel del Gatto (Katzenzungen) Castle, near Merano, was first documented in In the thirteenth century, the castle was one of the most prestigious noble seats in the county. The castle went to the Lords of Fink and Schlandersberg from the house of Cazenzunge, and eventually came into the possession of the Lords of Breisach, who expanded it into a magnificent manor in the sixteenth century, customising it to the residential needs and lifestyle of the Renaissance. When the lineage of the aristocratic family ended, the castle lost its relevance and fell increasingly into decay. Beginning in 1978, the building was restored in meticulous detail. A very interesting feature of the castle is its very old grapevine, from which white wine is still produced even today. The vine is said to be 600 years old, and is often referred to as the oldest vine in the world. Contact: Frau Pobitzer, T: Fahlburg Castle The ancient noble seat of Fahlburg is located in the centre of the village of Prissiano (Prissian). The castle was first mentioned in the historical record at the end of the thirteenth century. The original building was a solid tower with what was perhaps a simple residential building adjoining it. This tower, located on the north side of the castle, has been preserved almost completely: the regular brick courses and streaked mortar joints are indicative of this. The lower, thicker part of the façade wall also dates from the Middle Ages. In 1597, Jacob Andrä Brandis bought Fahlburg Castle; today, his descendants are still in possession of the castle. The Renaissance form of the manor dates back to a seventeenth-century renovation. The buildings served as a summer residence and as the seat of the court. Contact: Jakob Brandis, brandisjakob@rolmail.net

6 Zwingenberg Castle The castle, which was built around 1222, sits on a wooded ridge above and to the west of the village of Prissiano. The first written record of its owners, the Lords of Zwingenberg, goes back to Zwingenburg is an elongated castle with a gate to the west and the residential quarters to the northeast, behind the keep. The castle was destroyed in 1525; it wasn t until 1900 that it was finally rebuilt, undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion. Contact: Alois Walsl, T: Zinnenberg Manor This estate, which is a registered monument, is located in the town of Appiano (Eppan) about 10 km from Bolzano (Bozen). The romantic and elegant manor house, which dates from the fifteenth century, sits high amidst vineyards and orchards and has a large castle garden. In addition, it offers traditional Stuben parlours dating from the Renaissance. Thus, the ceilings of most rooms are finished with Renaissance beams. In addition to the panelled Stube furnished with pilasters and tiled stove, there is an open fireplace dating from 1555 that has been preserved to the present day. Contact: Sabine Staffler, T: Appiano (Hocheppan) Castle Of South Tyrol s many well-preserved castles, Appiano Castle is one of the most impressive. The castle s spectacular location high above Missiano (Missian), a hamlet in Appiano (Eppan), is a major factor: here, scenic beauty and the romance of a medieval castle coalesce. Count Ulrich II built the castle between 1125 and Even at that time, this structure was the most formidable castle in the entire county. Today, the massive pentagonal keep is still an expression of its defensive character. There is also a structure called the Kreideturm (chalk tower) on the castle grounds. The original height of the very tall, whitewashed tower has been preserved, and it is surrounded by a small circular wall. Kontakt: Monika Tschigg, info@hocheppan.com

7 The Ruins of Boymont Castle The castle was built between 1220 and 1230, which makes Boymont a Romanesque fortress. It was probably built in one go, in a nearly rectangular shape. The building lines are unusually clear and well thought out for a high medieval structure. Since the impressive structure was not rebuilt after a fire in 1425, we see here a large Romanesque residential castle that has survived with virtually no subsequent alterations or extensions. Contact: Familie Dellago, info@schloss-hotel-korb.com

8 Contact Information Questions, requests, or suggestions: Carmen Cian, BLS - Film Production & Location Service: Martina Ainhauser, BLS PLACES #1 Project Management: Lodging: Schloss Labers Hotel Labers 25 I Merano (BZ) Tel info@labers.it Technical Production Information: Philipp Moravetz, Service Production Südtirol,