Reifenstein Castle, Gothic castle in Freienfeld, Italy
Reifenstein is a castle on a rocky hill near Sterzing featuring ten preserved medieval rooms, including a donjon and a decorated great hall. The structure contains multiple chambers and underground sections that reveal how people lived during the Gothic period.
The castle was built in 1110 and changed hands several times until 1813 when the Counts of Thurn and Taxis acquired it following the dissolution of the German Chivalric Order. This change of ownership marked a transition to a new phase as a privately held estate.
The Green Hall displays late Gothic wooden latticework and ornate decorations, while St Zeno Chapel contains Bajuwaric tree trunk coffins from the 4th century.
The castle opens from March through November, with guided tours available daily except Saturdays for groups of seven or more visitors. It is worth checking ahead to confirm tour availability, especially if traveling in a smaller group.
The underground sections contain an original medieval torture chamber, a courtroom, and a subterranean dungeon with preserved equipment. These surviving spaces reveal lesser-known aspects of how the castle functioned beyond its residential purpose.
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