Velthurns Castle, Renaissance castle in Feldthurns, South Tyrol, Italy.
Velthurns Castle is a Renaissance fortress in the Feldthurns area of South Tyrol. The structure contains ten rooms featuring wooden wall panels, ornate stucco decoration, and detailed frescoes painted in the late 1500s.
Prince-bishop Johann Thomas von Spaur built this castle in 1580 as a summer retreat for the bishops of Brixen who needed a place away from their main duties. The property later changed hands after the region underwent secularization and religious authority diminished.
The castle reflects how prince-bishops lived during summer stays, filling rooms with art and fine furnishings that showed their wealth and taste. Walking through the decorated spaces, visitors can sense the refined lifestyle these religious leaders enjoyed away from their main residence.
The castle is open from Tuesday through Sunday, with guided tours offered in different languages for those wanting more context. The building has multiple floors and stairs, so wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time to see all the decorated rooms.
The castle houses an impressive collection of archaeological finds from the Eisack Valley, offering insights into how people lived in the area long before the building was constructed. These artifacts reveal layers of settlement and activity that stretch back through different time periods.
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