Rottenstein Castle, Medieval castle in Obermais, Italy
Rottenstein Castle is a fortified manor house with an L-shaped floor plan and two distinctive corner towers located in Merano. The northwest tower rises four stories while the south tower stands three stories, creating an asymmetrical silhouette.
The estate first appeared in records around 1696 under the ownership of the von Priami family. It passed through several hands during the 1800s before King Ludwig II of Bavaria acquired it in 1841.
The paired archways and rectangular window frames visible throughout the structure reflect how local builders worked in South Tyrol during that era. These design choices show the practical approach to construction that shaped homes across the entire region.
The manor remains in private ownership and has been protected as a cultural monument since 1951. Visitors can view the exterior from nearby footpaths, though interior access is not available to the public.
The architect Leo von Klenze drew plans for King Ludwig II to transform the property into a royal hunting lodge, but this grand project never came to fruition. Because of this abandoned plan, the castle retained its medieval character rather than being rebuilt in a new style.
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