Tratzberg Castle

Tratzberg Castle, a former fortress, rises on a cliff ridge under a mountain near the Austrian city of Schwaz. Its construction in 1296 was necessary to protect the county of Andehs from enemy attacks. It is known that the castle was called Trazperch. In 1491 there was a fire that destroyed almost all living quarters. To restore the castle was a local craftsman who settled in it with his family. Later this area was inhabited by Anne of Bohemian, the widow of Duke Henry of Tyrol.

The location of the castle on the banks of the river Inn, framed by a green forest, attracted the attention of Emperor Maximilian I, a great lover of hunting. Thanks to him, the entire complex of buildings was completely rebuilt, expanded, increased in height. Tratzberg Castle acquired its unique Gothic-Renaissance look. The powerful walls of the castle are connected in a rectangle, at the corners decorated with huge towers with spires. The fifth tower is located in the central part of the facade. Inside the spacious courtyard, in the very center, there is a beautiful fountain with green flower beds. Also, the interior walls are decorated with numerous arches with terraces.

Since 1589, the owner of the castle became a wealthy merchant Fugger. He also did not skimp on the interior decoration, the interior of the halls is filled with wealth and luxury, old paintings, collections of weapons, expensive chandeliers, stucco decorations hang on the walls. Most of the valuables are collected in the tower of stairs on the south-eastern side of the castle. Since 1848, the castle belongs to the Counts of Enzerberg. Tratzberg Castle is now a museum visited by medieval lovers.