AN HISTORICAL TRAIL
Description
Strategic and imposing, castles always cut a fascinating figure, perhaps because in our collective imagination they seem to evoke the obscure, mystery-shrouded period of the Middle Ages. This is just the impression we have as we observe the silhouette of the
Schloss Bruck [1], the
castle of Lienz, the existence of which is documented as far back as
1277. It was indeed in the Middle Ages - a time of renewed commercial and social vigour - that the castle reached the peak of its splendour. Schloss Bruck was built right at the entrance to the
Isel Valley by the
Counts of Gorizia, who lived in the castle until the 16
th century. Of the original part of the building, today you can still see the tower, the living quarters with the knights’ hall and the chapel, which was built in Romanic style and contains frescoes by Nikolaus Kennter and Simon von Taisten. From the 16
th century onwards, the castle was used as an arsenal, a military lazar house and barracks; in the 19
th century it housed a brewery and provided accommodation. Since 1942 it has belonged to the city of
Lienz and has been turned into a
civic museum, where you can admire a fine collection of paintings by Egger-Lienz, Franz von Defregger and other artists from the
Tyrol.
In the province of Belluno, the only well-preserved and restored castle to be visited is Zumelle Castle in Mel [2]. What remains visible of the castle today is only a small part of the huge original fortress, which in the second half of the 12th century included four rings of walls, two moats and at least three towers. Legend has it that the castle was founded in the 6th century by Genserico (master of the palace of the queen of the Goths Amalasunta, the daughter of Teodorico), who sought refuge here after the queen was killed. The history of Zumelle Castle over the following centuries is a succession of disputes and duels, destruction and reconstruction. Although the fortress is less imposing today than it once was, it is still a solemn, impressive sight; and thanks to the two phases of restoration work which have made the building accessible, the castle often hosts cultural events and historical re-enactments. There is also a restaurant inside. [I.A.]
by the way
Another partially-conserved castle to be found in the Belluno area is
Andraz Castle , in Livinallongo
del Col di Lana, on the road to the
Falzarego Pass ; it was once the outpost of the
Tyrol in the Belluno valleys. The central part of the castle, dating back to the High Middle Ages, is no longer visible, and external defences and stables were added later to the original keep. The castle’s strategic role was due to its location along the road which linked
Venice with the German lands, and also to the presence of the Fursil mines nearby. After a series of fi res and rebuilding works, from the 19th century onwards the castle fell into abandon, until recent conservation work rendered it accessible once more. From a historical and cultural point of view, one of the most important non-religious buildings in the
East Tyrol is
Anras Castle , situated on the high mountain road of the Val Pusteria. At the castle you can visit the Courtrooms, with an exhibition detailing and illustrating the punishments inflicted on prisoners stationed in Anras from 1499 onwards, in addition to a photographic exhibition showing how the mountain people used to live in the last century.
