Discover the Myths and Legends of Tratzberg Castle

Schloss Tratzberg (c) W9 Studios, Tirol Werbung

Perched on a hilltop high above Inntal Valley for half a millennium, this imposing Renaissance-style castle has been built by the Taenzl Brothers around 1500. To honour their clients, the House of Habsburg, they erected ornate Habsburg Hall with a wall painting that depicts the enormous family tree of Habsburg. Later, the Fugger Family, a wealthy dynasty of merchants from Augsburg, acquired Tratzberg Castle and expanded it further. Proof of those changes is the splendid Fugger Parlour and the Fugger Chamber. Most of the now conserved inventory is from this time. In the early 19th century, the castle was plundered by Bavarian soldiers. Some 50 years later, the rather neglected estate came into the possession of the Enzenberg Family, and it has stayed their homestead since then. Thanks to the family’s dedication and efforts the castle became the very embodiment of a 16th century Tirolean castle. Ulrich Goëss-Enzenberg and his wife Katrin Goëss-Enzenberg have been living here since 1991 and have opened parts of the castle, their family home, to the public.

Discover the Castle’s Myths and Legends

There are endless stories to discover within the walls of this magnificent landmark of myth and legend. Here are some little tidbits from the TiroLexikon:

The Ceiling in the „Queen’s Room“

The ornate ceiling that decorates this room is said to have been created by seven carpenters and seven journeymen within seven years and seven months. If one only knew where to begin, legend has it, the ceiling could be taken to pieces like a puzzle and be loaded onto seven trailers.

(Source: Tratzberg, Vorgeschichte und Sagen, Sieghard Graf Enzenberg, in: Jenbacher Buch, Schlern-Schriften, Innsbruck 1953, p. 179 – 186.)

View this post on Instagram Interior. #castle #austria #europe #travel #jenbach #architecture #carving #elaborate #renaissance #tratzberg #elaborate A post shared by Sierra Boake (@bobbinsthread) on Jun 27, 2015 at 12:34pm PDT

The Knight in the Tunnel

Legend has it that a subterranean tunnel connects Tratzberg with Schwaz, running deep below the Inn River. In the middle of the tunnel there was a knight with a sword who beheaded everyone who tried to get through. This myth might have its origin in the many galleries and tunnels that were built in the Schwaz Area during the silver-mining boom in the Middle Ages.

(Source: Tratzberg, Vorgeschichte und Sagen, Sieghard Graf Enzenberg, in: Jenbacher Buch, Schlern-Schriften, Innsbruck 1953, p. 179 – 186.)

View this post on Instagram Cool hallway #travel #europe #castle #austria #architecture #archway #tratzberg A post shared by Sierra Boake (@bobbinsthread) on Jun 27, 2015 at 5:36am PDT

365 Windows

Another popular legend has it that Tratzberg Castle is said to have as many windows as a year has days.

(Source: Tratzberg, Vorgeschichte und Sagen, Sieghard Graf Enzenberg, in: Jenbacher Buch, Schlern-Schriften, Innsbruck 1953, p. 179 – 186.)

View this post on Instagram #tratzberg #castle #austria A post shared by MERY (@mbm4) on Oct 4, 2015 at 8:36am PDT

Tratzberg Castle is open to visitors. Learn More.