Tirol Castle

P3

Castle seen from Tyrol Dorf Tirol

The Tirol Castle in Dorf Tirol near Merano in Burggrafenamt was the ancestral castle of the Counts of Tyrol and the cradle of the Tyrol. Until the 15th century, when the political administration was transferred to the traffic- favorable Innsbruck, the castle was the residence of the Prince. 2003 was opened at Castle Tyrol the South Tyrol Museum of Culture and History.

History

The castle hill has been inhabited since prehistoric times. This is evidenced numerous findings and a burial ground from the early Middle Ages. The archaeologists also an early Christian church with three apses free.

The first castle was built before 1100. In 1139/40 the second phase of the dynastic is dated, which also includes the donjon heard. A third major construction falls into the second half of the 13th century under Count Meinhard II of Tyrol.

In March 1347 Margarete of Tyrol Castle Tyrol successfully defended against Charles of Luxembourg ( the future Emperor Charles IV ).

The castle remained to 1420 residence of the Tirolean sovereigns, to Duke Frederick of the Empty Pockets moved the residence to Innsbruck. Late medieval finds, such as a brigantine and a Venetian Bleisiegel document this phase.

In modern times, parts of the castle fell or plunged into the so-called " Köstengraben ". It was even sold for demolition to be used as a quarry. In the late 19th century, the ruined parts of the castle were restored by Friedrich von Schmidt in the Gothic Revival style and aufgehöht 1904, the donjon.

Art history are especially interesting are the frescoes of the chapel and the magnificent Romanesque portals with rich sculptural figures in marble, which show partly mythical creatures, religious motifs and geometric ornaments. The remarkable Gothic winged altar from the floor of the chapel is located in the 19th century at the Tyrolean Provincial Museum; he was replaced by a faithful replica.

Since the early 1980s, the castle is the seat of the Tyrol South Tyrol Museum of Culture and History. Right next to the castle, there is a falconry bird of prey with a nursing station.

The Knappenloch

The original path to the castle led around the moraine on which the castle stood Rubein. Due to the steep and difficult terrain, the Tyrolean manager Jacob Andra was in 1682 driven by Schneeberger miners a 83.5 m long tunnel through the hillside. At the entrance of the tunnel is still a relief image with the inscription: " I Leopoldus imperator gloriosus viae istius autor. " ( Emperor Leopold I., famous author of this path. ) Another reason for the construction was for almost 700 years on November 19, the feast day of St. Elizabeth committed anniversary of the Tyrolean princes and all members of the House of Habsburg.

Exterior Südpalas

Courtyard, in the background of the donjon

Main castle with Eastern and Südpalas

Romanesque portal of the chapel

Portal of the chapel, detail

Detail at the window ( capital )