Brunnenburg Castle (Schloss Brunnenburg)

Schloss Brunnenburg

 

Location: Bolzano-Bozen Map

Constructed: 1250

 

Schloss Brunnenburg is located in the South Tyrol in Northern Italy. It was constructed in 1250. Schloss Brunnenburg name is derived from one of its many owners. In 1356 its was bought by Heinrich and Johann von Bopfinger. Heinrich became in the region for being a pastor of Tyrol and a Captain of the country. In 1421 Schloss Brunnenburg was bought by the chaplain of Duke Frederick Tascavuota, Ulrich Putsch who later became a bishop of Diocese of Brixen. In the middle of the twentieth century the castle was reconstructed and renovated by Russian Egyptologist Boris de Rachewiltz and his wife Mary.

 

History

The castle was built in 1241, then in the territory of the diocese of Chur, by Wilhelm Tarant in the service of Count Albert III of Tyrol. Over time it was destroyed several times and then rebuilt. The castle probably owes its name to a spring which could have existed in the vicinity of the castle; also the attestations of the castle such as Prunnenberch in 1285 and Brunnberg in 1437 suggest this etymology. Another hypothesis makes the name of the castle derive from that of one of its many owners.

In 1356 it was bought by the brothers Heinrich and Johann von Bopfingen. Heinrich was parish priest of Tyrol, delegate of Ludwig von Brandenburg and County Captain of Tyrol (until 1359); Johann was nicknamed the troubadour (Minnesänger).

In 1421 the castle was bought by the chaplain of Duke Federico Tascavuota, Ulrich Putsch, who later became bishop of the Diocese of Bressanone.

In 1457 the castle was bought by Hans (or Johann) von Kripp, to whom it belonged until 1812, even if already in 1600 the fortification was described as an "old ruined castle".

In 1705 the farmer Gregor Hofer began to restore the castle, carrying out some structural work.

In 1884 another farmer, Michael Sonnenburger, burgomaster of Tyrol, took possession of the castle. It was in 1889 that the shooting gallery was inaugurated, with a grand parade by Schützen, and as the guest of honor Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was later assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914.

In 1903 the castle was bought by Karl Schwwickert, an industrialist from Pforzheim (in the Rhineland), who began a restoration, sparing no means and resources. This restoration, however, radically transformed the structure of the castle, which was almost redesigned following the taste of the new owner (a vague reference to the neo-Gothic style can be seen). The work was never finished due to the death of Schwwickert (1927), and the castle again fell into disrepair.

In 1955 the castle was bought by Prince Boris de Rachewiltz (professor and Egyptologist), who in 1946 had married Mary, the daughter of the American poet Ezra Pound and Olga Rudge. Pound resided there from 1958 until his death. During the time he spent at the castle, the poet composed the last 6 of his 116 Cantos.

"the temple is sacred because it is not for sale"
(Ezra Pound, Canto 97)

Became the Brunnenburg Agricultural Museum (Landwirtschaftsmuseum Brunnenburg) in 1974, the castle illustrates the customs and ways of working of the farmers in the area, and can currently be visited every day, from April to October.

The castle also houses an Ezra Pound Center for Literature, linked to the University of New Orleans (USA).