The Story of the Castle
Historical sources show that where Tratzberg Castle stands today, an earlier castle was built in the 13th century, serving as the hunting lodge of Emperor Maximilian I. The ancient castle was destroyed in a great fire, and its ruins were given to the brothers Veit-Jakob and Simon Tänzl. The brothers, who were very wealthy due to their share in the Schwaz silver mine, invested a great deal of money to build a new and magnificent castle on the ancient ruins. For 8 years, the brothers built a splendid structure with three floors and many beautifully designed rooms.
After their deaths, the castle passed to their family members who sold it to another noble family, and since then, for years, the castle passed from one noble family to another, undergoing renovations and expansions. Wealthy noble families like the Fuggers owned the castle and made it even more magnificent. Their influence on it is evident to this day. In 1847, the castle was inherited by the Enzenberg family. The family members are its owners to this day, and some of them even live in it.
The Main Rooms of the Castle:
- The Hunting Room: This room originally served as a dining room. It has an antique dining area with old tables, chairs, and cutlery. The room is designed in a most interesting way with a shiny marble column in its center, a decorated wooden ceiling, and also a sculpture with life-sized animals and a group of hunters next to them.
- Armoury: The weapon rooms in the castle are a wonderful display of ancient and diverse weapons. You can be impressed by tools such as cannons, shields, torture instruments, helmets, spears, and more.
- The Fugger Family Parlor: This room was where the wealthy Fugger family members spent their days at leisure. The room is full of antique wooden furniture, a fireplace for heating, and also a hidden staircase. Around the room hang paintings, mainly of the Enzenberg family members. One painting that deserves special attention is a painting of Innsbruck Castle by the artist Hans Schäufelein.
- The Fugger Family Bedroom: In the bedroom, you can see the ancient and ornate bed, several very old wooden chests of drawers, as well as impressive paintings from the city of Innsbruck.
- The Habsburg Hall: The walls of this room are uniquely decorated and display the family tree of the Habsburg family in a picturesque and impressive way. In addition, there are murals of animals, ancient chandeliers, and a stunningly beautiful marble column.
- The Chapel: As befits a respectable castle, there is a respectable room that served as a chapel for the castle’s residents. The room was built in the Gothic style and is decorated with gold statues and an impressive altar.
Besides the ancient castle rooms, its exterior is also impressive in its beauty. The central courtyard of the castle allows you to look at its beautiful outer walls and enjoy the delicate flower design in its center.
A short video from inside the castle rooms
Guided Tours in the Castle
A visit to the castle is possible as part of a guided tour during which you will pass through the ancient castle rooms and learn about the function of each room and the antique furniture in it. The tours are offered in 8 languages, including English. The tour lasts about 30 minutes.
There is an option for a guided tour adapted for children from the age of 4. This experiential tour will allow children to experience life in the castle in a fun and different way. They will meet a real knight and search for the ghost that still lives in the ancient castle today. At the end of the tour, there is a short quiz, and with a little luck, you can also win a prize. This tour is offered in 4 languages, including English.
Additional Essential Information for Visiting Tratzberg Castle
Opening Hours:
End of March to the beginning of November. Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (the last tour departs at this time). The castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cost:
- Adult – €16.20
- Youth (13-17) – €11.30
- Child (up to age 12) – €8.50
Please note: If you have visited the Schwaz silver mine, you are entitled to a 10% discount on admission upon presentation of your tickets from the mine.
There is no need to book a guided tour in advance. Only groups of over 20 people are required to book in advance.
Address: Tratzberg 1, 6200 Jenbach
From the car park at the foot of the castle, you have to walk about 20 minutes uphill to the entrance.
Map:
