Photo: Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Protection
- Cultural heritage monument in South Tyrol
- Coordinates
- 46°39′38″ N, 11°11′08″ E
- Address
- St.-Valentin-Straße - Via San Valentino, 51a, 39012
History and description
Trauttmansdorff Castle is located in northern Italy and has been owned by the Trauttmansdorff family for roughly 500 years. The castle and gardens are of many different architectural styles as construction happened prior to the 1300s, in the 1500s and the 1800s. The castle is currently serving as a tourist location and home to a tourism museum.
Castle location
Trauttmansdorff Castle is a castle located south of the city of Merano, South Tyrol, northern Italy. To the east the castle is protected by dense forest and steep terrain. To the north, south, and west the castle is fortified by terrain and original fortification walls (from the original Neuburg Fortress built in the 14th century). The castle is adorned with gardens to the north and south.
Castle history
The site of the castle was previously home to the Neuburg Fortress (built prior to the 1300s). The property was bought in the early 1500s by Nikolaus von Trauttmansdorff. Additionally, since 1543, the castle and gardens were owned by the Trauttmansdorff family, one of the oldest and most distinguished Austrian noble families. The castle was abandoned in the early 1700s by the family and was later bought back (in a state of near-disrepair "half-ruined") and renovated to its current state in 1846 by Count Josef von Trauttmansdorff. During the years of fascist Italy the castle was called di Nova Castle (Torrente Nova is the name of a little brook near Trauttmansdorff).
Castle architecture
When the castle was rebuilt in 1846, Count Josef von Trauttmansdorff opted to enlarge the building. However, due to the combination of new and old buildings on the side there is a mix of mostly three periods, first Gothic, secondly Romanesque, and finally Baroque. A key feature of Romanesque architecture is the repetition of design/building elements; this can be seen in the repetition and placement of windows seen on the facade of the castle. Secondly, the variety of windows along with the contrast of roofs and overlooks/fortifications in place of roofs align with Romanesque architecture as variety and contrast is a typical factor in Romanesque architecture. The interior hall in the castle is decorated with a Baroque ceiling mural surrounded by layers of molding and marble pilasters. Other rooms within the castle (such as the imperial rooms) have Romanesque/Gothic interior windows, this is shown by the mix of rounded and pointed arch shaped windows.
Current affairs at the castle
The castle and grounds are now a tourism site and home to the "Touriseum", a museum of tourism. Additionally, since 2001 the surrounding grounds have been open as the Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens, a botanical garden.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Trauttmansdorff Castle».
Photos
Getting there
Merano Maia Bassa - Meran UntermaisTrain, nearest
2.9 km as the crow flies
Trauttmansdorff CastleSt.-Valentin-Straße - Via San Valentino, 51a, 39012
Aeroporto di Bolzano-Dolomiti - Flughafen Bozen-Dolomiten24.9 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Trentino-South Tyrol
Frequently asked questions
Where is Trauttmansdorff Castle?
Trauttmansdorff Castle is in Merano, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-South Tyrol), Italy. Address: St.-Valentin-Straße - Via San Valentino, 51a, 39012. GPS coordinates: 46.66066, 11.18544.
What are the opening hours of Trauttmansdorff Castle?
According to OpenStreetMap the opening hours are: Every day: 9:00–19:00. Always check the official website before your visit.
Is Trauttmansdorff Castle wheelchair accessible?
According to OpenStreetMap data, the site is partly wheelchair accessible.
What else is there to see near Trauttmansdorff Castle?
Nearby you’ll find: Touriseum (0 m away), Castle Pienzenau (500 m away), Rametz (700 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- 070406-10 Schloss Trauttmansdorff 5 — Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Merano - Castel Trauttmansdorff - 2024-09-19 21-58-46 001 — BelPatty86, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 070406-10 Schloss Trauttmansdorff 1 — Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ITA — Region Trentino-Südtirol — Autonome Provinz Bozen-Südtirol — Stadt Meran — Obermais — St.-Valentin-Straße 51a (Schloss Trauttmansdorff · Eintrittskarte) Mattes 2023 — User:Mateus2019, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Meran-Trauttmansdorff-02-2023-gje — Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0
- Meran-Trauttmansdorff-04-2023-gje — Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0
- Meran-Trauttmansdorff-06-2023-gje — Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0
- Meran-Trauttmansdorff-08-Weitblick-2023-gje — Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0
- Meran-Trauttmansdorff-10-2023-gje — Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences