Sonnenburg, Medieval castle and former monastery in St. Lorenzen, Italy.
Sonnenburg is a medieval castle and former monastery situated on a small rise above where the Rienza and Gadera rivers meet. The building retains medieval architectural features, including a crypt with ancient frescoes beneath the grounds.
The site began as a fortress and was converted to a convent in 1039 when Volkold, heir of the Lurn family, transferred it for that purpose. This change brought religious women to the location, where they lived for centuries to follow.
The monastery crypt holds Romanesque frescoes that reveal how medieval people expressed their religious beliefs through art. These paintings show the spiritual world that shaped life in this region for generations.
The site can only be visited through scheduled guided tours, so advance booking is necessary to arrange your visit. Tours guide you through the monastery grounds and down into the historic crypt beneath the building.
During the Tyrolean freedom wars from 1797 to 1813, this complex served as a military hospital for wounded soldiers. Later it became a refuge for people in need, revealing a remarkable story of transformation and humanitarian service.
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