Churburg

About the museum

In 1253 a dispute between the advocate of Mazia, Egno III, and the bishop of Coira (Chur), Henry IV of Montfort, ended with the bishop being granted the right to build a fortress in the upper Val Venosta, on a hill at the mouth of the Val di Mazia. The castle is first documented in 1259 under the name “Churberch”. In 1504 the advocate Gaudenzio of Mazia died without male heirs and left the castle to the children of his sister Barbara, who had married Jakob IV Trapp: since then the property has belonged to the Trapp family, which continues today with the Churburg line.

The Romanesque fortress comprised a curtain wall with a walkway, a freestanding keep and a two-storey palace. At the beginning of the 16th century the Trapps strengthened the defences with a second curtain wall, an entrance tower and the bell tower (1537), raised the palace and created the three-terraced garden. In the second half of the century the castle became a richly decorated residence, with service buildings along the walls; in the 18th century a storey was added to the palace, together with a Baroque guest wing, the Hall of Ancestors (Matscher Saal) and a new staircase.

In 1889 Count Gotthard Trapp converted the large hayloft into the armoury (Rüstkammer) and began the first systematic display of the armour, today considered one of the most important private dynastic collections. In 1908 he uncovered the Renaissance paintings of the arcaded loggia, and in 1907 he had the vault of the chapel of Giacomo decorated.

Highlights

• Armoury (Rüstkammer) of the Trapp family
• Arcaded loggia with Renaissance paintings
• Jakobszimmer and the chapel of Giacomo
• Matscher Saal (Hall of Ancestors) and Baroque guest wing
• Three-terraced garden from the Gothic period

Operated by

Famiglia Trapp (proprietà privata)

Visitors per year

approx. 27,502

Admission & discounts

Tickets can be booked through the castle’s online ticket service. Organised groups must register in advance by telephone or e-mail; anyone who wishes to pay by invoice must say so when registering.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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 castle is a private building and is not accessible by wheelchair. Baby carriers are recommended for small children; pushchairs can be left at the entrance.

Kids & families

Recommended for ages 4+

Children of all ages are welcome; the castle recommends visiting from the age of 4 and asks parents to keep children calm during the visit.

Getting there & parking

The castle overlooks Sluderno, in the upper Val Venosta. By car from Merano or Prato allo Stelvio on the SS 38/SS 40, via the Resia Pass (Passo Resia) on the SS 40, from Switzerland and from the Val Monastero on the SS 41.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit