Castel Trauttmansdorff – an imperial residence between history, nature, and beauty

History and description

Built as a small fortress in the 14th century, Castel Trauttmansdorff is a medieval building featuring a crypt, ancient walls, and noble frescoes, as well as the famous gardens that surround it. Expanded and decorated—while still preserving its medieval elements—by the family that owned it from 1543 and gave it its name, the castle fell into disuse after the extinction of the local Trauttmansdorff branch. In 1846, it was purchased by Count Joseph von Trauttmansdorff, who restored it, added Neo‑Gothic elements, and enlarged it to its current size. Later, it was chosen by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the well‑known Sissi, as the residence for her spa stays.

After passing through the hands of several owners, in the 1990s it was acquired by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and subsequently enriched with botanical gardens. Since 2003, it has also been home to the Touriseum, the Provincial Museum of Tourism.

Curiosities

The garden, awarded as the most beautiful park in Italy and as a European Garden of Excellence, consists of over 80 botanical environments from all over the world, with specialized areas such as the “Gardens of the Sun”, the “Forests of the World”, and the aquatic and terraced gardens.

Access

Open to the public with varying hours depending on the season, the castle and museum can be visited with an admission fee of €17, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in the Maia Alta district of Merano, the castle can be reached by car via the A22 motorway towards Merano, by bus (lines 1 or 232), or on foot along the Sissi Trail, about a 45‑minute walk from the city center.

Immersed in the Botanical Gardens of Merano, Castel Trauttmansdorff is an elegant historic residence that combines Habsburg charm, Neo‑Gothic architecture, and a unique museum dedicated to the history of tourism.

Photo credits: Llorenzi (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0