Burg Freundsberg

About the museum

The lords of Freundsberg built their ancestral seat on a hill south of Schwaz around 1150/1170 as a fortified residential tower; the first castle chapel was consecrated in 1176. In 1467 the castle passed to the sovereign Sigmund the Rich, who had the keep raised by storeys in 1472–1475 and a residence with hunting frescoes by his court painter installed at the top. Emperor Maximilian I occasionally used the property as a hunting lodge, and around 1630 the palas and chapel were converted into today’s castle church in the Renaissance style.

During the Bavarian period, Crown Prince Ludwig gave the decaying castle to the people of Schwaz in 1812; since 1942 it has belonged to the town, which had it comprehensively restored from 1966. Over the centuries the tower also served as a dungeon, a place of justice, emergency accommodation and a depot.

The town’s local history museum, founded in 1930, moved into the keep in 1950. After reorganisations in 1975–1977 and 2003, the dungeon was also opened up as an exhibition space in 2005. A museum visit is at the same time a tower climb: the floors are devoted to silver and copper mining, with a facsimile of the Schwazer Bergbuch of 1556, to shooting traditions and the fire of 1809, to the town’s crafts and industry, and to faith and superstition. At the very top is the original furnished tower keeper’s apartment with a kitchen, drinking room and late Gothic hunting frescoes.

Highlights

• Tower keeper’s apartment from around 1500 with hunting frescoes from the time of Duke Sigmund
• Facsimile of the Schwazer Bergbuch of 1556
• Castle dungeon as the oldest part of the keep
• Exhibition on faith and superstition
• Panoramic view over Schwaz and the Inn Valley
• Renaissance castle church

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum der Stadt Schwaz im Bergfried – Five tower floors on silver and copper mining, shooting traditions, the town’s crafts and economy, and faith and superstition, plus the castle dungeon.
• Türmerwohnung Herzog Sigmunds – Original kitchen, drinking room and bedchamber with hunting frescoes from around 1475 on the top floor of the tower.

Founded

1950

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Schwaz

Admission & discounts

Reduction with the SILBERCARD of the Silberregion Karwendel.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance to the tower is up a few outdoor steps; the five museum floors can only be reached via steep stairs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car on the A12 Inntal motorway, exit Schwaz, then on to the Burg Freundsberg car park.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Gasthaus Burg Freundsberg with regional cuisine and a view over the town.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings and celebrations at the inn; the castle church is used for weddings, masses, concerts, theatre and readings.

Plan your visit