Tyrol Castle near Merano Tirol (BZ)

Castle Tyrol sits on the castle hill above Merano in Italy. South Tyrol's name is both a landmark and a country's name. Originally, the name Tyrol was first used for the village, then for the Counts of Tyrol and finally for the Counts' dominion. Today, Tyrol Castle serves as the South Tyrolean Museum of Cultural and Regional History. The medieval double chapel, the knights' hall, the dungeon, and the panelled Mushaus are all open to visitors. Art-historical evidence can also be found in the castle. There are romantic works such as marble portals, early Gothic wall paintings and the oldest Tyrolean stained-glass.

Inside the castle, Tyrol and South Tyrol's history is portrayed on 20 levels. Every year there is a large themed exhibition as well as smaller side exhibitions that focus on influential personalities and events in Tyrol. The Tower of Memories in the Keep focuses on South Tyrol's autonomy history as part of a permanent exhibition. It thematically explores South Tyrol's historical path from the 20th century onwards. The castle also exhibits objects carefully compiled and acquired over the past decade.

Right next to the castle is the bird care centre, so you can combine your visit with a bird of prey show.

The ruins complex of Castle Tyrol was created over nine centuries. The castle was built in the eleventh century. The newly built south palace was built in the twelfth century. The ring wall, which today is one of the oldest preserved castle walls in South Tyrol, also dates from this period. As early as the 13th century, the complex was raised and extended. The castle experienced its heyday in the 14th century under Magarete Maultasch, before decay began in the 16th century. Significant changes took place in the 19th and 20th centuries under Viennese architect Friedrich von Schmidt, neo-Gothic restorations. In 2003, the South Tyrolean Provincial Museum of Cultural and Provincial History opened and has brought Tyrol's history closer to its visitors ever since.

If you want to visit the castle, you must first park in one of the paid parking spaces in the centre of the Tyrol village. Follow the well-signposted castle path through an old tunnel and past the earth pyramids to reach the castle. The walk takes about 30 minutes. Driving is prohibited on the way! However, you can take a taxi.
You can also reach Tyrol Castle in 25 minutes from Thurnstein Castle.