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FORTS AND CASTLES: HISTORY IN STONE
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Meran Sehenswürdigkeiten
Perpetuated in stone and rock, Meran’s forts and castles, perhaps more than any other places of interest, reveal to us the histories and fate of the city...
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LANDESFÜRSTLICHE BURG
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The former residence of the ruling princes of Tyrol, converted around 1470 by Archduke Sigmund the Wealthy of Tyrol, the castle is today a museum.
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THE POWDER TOWER
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The tower is today a ruin, standing high over the old town on the Tappeinerweg. In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries it was used for storing gunpowder and as a place of refuge for the population in times of war.
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SCHLOSS FRAGSBURG
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The Fragsburg castle is today a hotel and restaurant. It stands nearly 800 metres above sea level and is thus the highest of Meran’s castle buildings, with a wonderful view.
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GOYEN CASTLE
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Gojen castle is in Obermais, on the side of the valley of the Naif, easily recognised by its dominant tower. The castle is one of the oldest in the Meran area, according to an old legend, it was the residence of the Roman Gaius. The castle is inhabited.
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KALLMÜNZ CASTLE
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Somewhat hidden behind a car park, the battlements of this castle rise up from the Sandplatz in the city centre.
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KATZENSTEIN CASTLE
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In the 13th century the castle, beautifully situated below Labers, was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Katzenstein (whose coat of arms features a seated cat). The castle is an architectural treasure. Ancient battlements decorate the castle structure and give it its fairytale appearance: it has been restructured and converted into a private residence.
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KNILLENBERG CASTLE
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The castle stands in the Dante Strasse in Obermais. The medieval square tower stands over the closed group of buildings from the 17th century. Two solid corner towers with cambered cupolas, attractive loggias, the connecting passageway with its pointed-arch openings and the high gate wall give the castle its delightful appearance. For a long time it served as the social gathering point for the aristocracy. Today the castle is in private hands.
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LABERS CASTLE
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This stately castle, dating from the 11th century, stands in a sunny location with beautiful views in the midst of fruit orchards and vineyards, and is today a hotel restaurant.
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PFLANZENSTEIN CASTLE
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The former castle in Obermais, first mentioned in 1227, is today known as the Pallottiheim and is now occupied by the German Pallottine Order. Part of the old castle was converted into a pension (overnight accommodation with breakfast). Information: Obermais/Pflanzensteinweg 9, tel. 0473/230132.
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SCHLOSS PIENZENAU
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In the City of Merano, health resort since 1836, at the green quarter of the City, Obermais, framed picturesquely by the impressive panorama of the meranese mountains and tugged into a century-old park, lies Castle Pienzenau. Besides the exclusive location, Castle Pienzenau convinces with its offer of rooms for seminars, courses for further education, weddings and festivities.
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PLANTA CASTLE
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Looking down from the exceptionally high castle walls, rampantly overgrown with ivy, or indeed from the round towers of the Planta Castle in Obermais (corner of Schönblick/ Planta Strasse), visitors gain a breathtaking panorama over the entire valley of the Etsch.
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RAMETZ CASTLE
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Surrounded by old battlements, the residence of the Counts Rametz stands in the midst of a sunny wine-growing estate, and is today a winery and restaurant. Documents from the 15th and 16th centuries mention the “von Rametz” family as lords of the castle.
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REICHENBACH CASTLE
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Also in Obermais, in the Reichenbachgasse above the Brunnenplatz, this simple 14th century building has a tower and windows. It was the residence of several noble dynasties, including the Countess Esterhazy. The castle is in private hands.
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ROTTENSTEIN CASTLE
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First mentioned in 1350, this large castle and its two characteristic towers, located above the Brunnenplatz and opposite Rundegg Castle, has lost much of its original architecture through restoration and alteration work.
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RUBEIN CASTLE
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This fairytale 12th century castle, surrounding an idyllic inner courtyard, is a hotel and is the private property of the Countess Eliane du Parc. It ranks as one of the most beautiful castles under the castles administration.
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RUNDEGG CASTLE
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The castle, located in the Schenna Strasse, is home to a luxurious hotel and a beauty and wellness farm. The large square tower with its hipped roof, the white paintwork with red-white window blinds and the well-maintained parks surrounding the castle are all characteristic of the structure.
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TRAUTTMANSDORFF CASTLE
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The castle lies in Obermais, south of the little church of St. Valentin, and is the centre of the Botanical Garden (internal link: the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff; link: www.trauttmansdorff.it) and the State History of Tourism Museum (internal link: The Museums; link: www.touriseum.it).
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WINKEL CASTLE
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This stately Renaissance building, including the former estate and winery at the Winkelweg in Obermais, has had many owners over the centuries, including the Tyrolean Archduchess Claudia de' Medici, although a family from Trent was the first to give the keep its powerful walls.
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ZENOBURG
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The Zenoburg, built on a granite cliff over the Passer gorge, is now just a partly restored ruin. Building of the cliff-top castle began in the late Roman era to control access to the Passer valley, and at that time was probably home to Roman legionaries. The keep still recalls its original appearance as a military structure.
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Culture & pleasure 
August