Leonburg

Leonburg is a castle sitting on a rocky outcrop above the Adige Valley with sturdy defensive walls and Renaissance-era features. The structure shows rows of windows and architectural details that point to different building phases, combining older defense elements with later residential additions.

The castle was founded around 1200 by ancestors of the Brandis family and became one of the key strongholds of their rule in the Adige Valley. A major turning point came in 1275 when Meinhard II of Tyrol attacked the site and reshaped regional power dynamics.

The castle displays a blend of medieval defense and Renaissance residential comfort that is visible in its outer walls and window designs. This mix shows how the family transformed the structure from a purely defensive stronghold into a more comfortable home.

The castle sits on Via Ackpfeif in Lana and is best viewed from the road leading toward Passo Palade, where it becomes visible from an elevated vantage point. The interior is not open to visitors, but the outer walls and overall shape can be clearly seen from the roadside.

The site has belonged continuously to the same family, the Counts of Brandis, since its foundation over 800 years ago. This unbroken connection is rare in the Italian region and continues to shape the site's story and identity today.