Fragsburg

Fragsburg is a medieval castle near Merano perched on a mountain ridge at about 727 meters in elevation. The structure combines an older core fortress with a main palace section added later in the 17th century.

Otto von Auer built the castle in the second half of the 13th century, constructing it on remains of earlier fortifications. In 1620 the Memminger patricians transformed it into a hunting lodge.

The name Fragsburg comes from fragments of an earlier fortification that once stood on this site. Visitors can still see traces of these older structures within the lower sections mixed with later additions.

The castle is reachable by a road built in the early 20th century after it became publicly accessible in 1904. The route passes through wooded terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

During World War II the castle lost most of its original furnishings, with only the chapel and two rooms retaining some period pieces. These few surviving rooms today still show how the castle was furnished in earlier times.