Südtiroler Landesmuseum für Kultur- und Landesgeschichte Schloss Tirol

About the museum

Schloss Tirol (Castel Tirolo) stands on a hill above Merano and gave Tyrol its name. On the hill excavations have brought to light an early Christian church, replaced in the 10th or 11th century by a three-apse church, whose stones were later reused for the first castle, built before 1100; the keep dates from the second phase, around 1139–1140. In the second half of the 13th century, under Meinhard II, the complex was extended for the third time; the chapel preserves Romanesque marble portals with fantastic figures and religious motifs.

The counts of Tyrol governed the county from here until the extinction of the Meinhardine line in 1335. In 1363 Margaret Maultasch left the country to the Habsburgs, who in the 15th century moved their residence first to Merano and then to Innsbruck. The castle declined and partly collapsed; around 1800, during the Bavarian occupation, it was stripped of its furnishings, which were auctioned, and came to be sold as a source of stone.

In the 19th century it was restored in Neo-Gothic forms, and in 1904 the keep was raised. Owned by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, since the early 1980s it has hosted museum activities and since 2003 the seat of the Museo storico-culturale della Provincia. The route illustrates the history of the castle, from the excavations of the ancient church to the Kernburg, the chapels and the Palas, while in the keep the exhibition “Torre della memoria” (Tower of Memory) is devoted to the history of South Tyrol in the 20th century. Next to the castle is a bird rehabilitation centre.

Highlights

• Romanesque marble portals of the chapel
• Chapels with frescoes and a copy of the Gothic altarpiece with wings
• Excavations of the early Christian church beneath the castle
• Keep with the exhibition “Torre della memoria” on South Tyrol in the 20th century
• Rittersaal, Kaisersaal and Burggrafensaal in the Kernburg
• Mushaus and patrol walkway

Permanent exhibitions

• Il percorso nel castello – From the excavations of the ancient church to the Kernburg, with the Rittersaal, Romanesque portals, chapels, Kaisersaal, Burggrafensaal, Mushaus and patrol walkway, the museum tells the architecture and history of the County of Tyrol.
• Torre della memoria – In the keep the history of South Tyrol in the 20th century is told across several floors and, since 2019, also in a 360-degree virtual route on the museum's website.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige

Director

Leo Andergassen

Admission & discounts

Guided tours for groups and educational activities for schools take place by booking only. In case of no-show a penalty of €60 applies for each museum mediator.

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

Because of the historic structure and the position on the hill, the castle is not completely free of barriers: many rooms can be reached only by stairs, and a visit by wheelchair is not possible. Access to the hill is on foot along an asphalt road closed to traffic.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The “Kinderschloss” allows children to dress up as princesses and knights and immerse themselves in castle life; there are audio guides for children and a family ticket. Schools can choose from many routes and workshops on medieval themes, including giant wooden games (not in bad weather). The large space of the Vorburg is suitable for picnics, running and play. The castle can be reached on foot in about 25–30 minutes.

Getting there & parking

A no-through-traffic ban applies along the whole Schlossweg, both from Tirolo and from Castel Thurnstein. On foot it takes about 25–30 minutes from either side. Those arriving from Castel Thurnstein follow the Laurinstraße to San Pietro and continue on foot for 20–30 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum shop with gadgets, audio CDs and publications. On the hill is the Gasthaus “Schloss Tirol”, closed on Mondays like the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit