Runkelstein Castle

In 1237 Alderich Prince-Bishop of Trent gave the brothers Friedrich and Beral Lords of Wangen permission to construct a castle on the rock then called Runchenstayn.

In 1277 it was damaged during a siege by Meinhard II of Tirol, who after winning the war against Heinrich Prince-Bishop of Trent, entrusted the castle to Gottschalk Knoger of Bozen.

Niklaus was counselor and financier of the Count of Tyrol, Leopold III, Duke of Austria, which allowed them to buy the castle, a type of residence unfitting – in those times – for people of their rank.

The frescos topics were of literary nature, depicting i.e. King Arthur and his knights, Tristan and Isolde, Dietrich von Bern.

[1] In 1407 the monetary conflict between Frederick IV, Duke of Austria "mit der leeren Tasche“ (with empty pocket), Count of Tyrol and wealthy Tyrolean noble families resulted in open war.

His brother Franz, who had allied with the Duke remained owner of the Castle until Sigismund, Archduke of Austria "der Münzreiche" (rich with coins) acquired it.

In 1868, the northern wall of the Summer House collapsed, but in 1880 the castle's fortunes changed: Archduke Johann Salvator of Austria-Tuscany bought Runkelstein and gave it as a gift to Emperor Franz Josef in 1882.