Location: Tratzberg 1, 6200 Jenbach Map
Constructed: 13th century
Open: Mar 20-Nov 1
Tours:
10am - 4pm daily
Tel. +43 5242 63566
Official site
Tratzberg Castle was first mentioned in the 13th century as a strategic military fortress in Karwendel Alps. Originally medieval Tratzberg Castle was found in the 12th century to hold a strategic mountain overlooking trading routes belowe. Later Tratzberg Castle served as a hunting lodge of Emperor Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519). He preferred his mansion at an elevation of 100 meters above the valley floor to keep an eye for his enemies. And he had plenty of those. On his free time the emperor enjoyed also fighting Bavarians as well as hunting. Much of the Tratzberg Castle was burned in the 1490/91 and subsequently abandoned by its owner. The emperor gave an honor of reconstruction to two brothers Jacob and Simon Veit-Tänzl who began their work somewhere in the early 1500's. In 1554 the castle was further improved by rich local merchant Georg Knight of Ilsung who acquired this château. While on the outside the castle looks like a military stronghold on the inside it is quiet colorful and looks more like a private residence rather than a fortification. Frescoes of the inside court yard was done to reflect style of the Renaissance Period.
Early Origins (13th Century to Late 15th Century)
The site has a
long history of habitation. Chronicles first mention a castle called
Trazperch (or similar variants) in 1296. It likely dates back even
earlier, possibly to the 12th or 13th century, and served as a border
fortress securing the region against Bavaria.
Emperor Maximilian I
(Holy Roman Emperor) used the original medieval fortress as a hunting
lodge. However, toward the end of the 15th century (around 1490–1492),
the structure was completely destroyed by fire. Maximilian chose not to
rebuild it himself. Instead, in 1499, he exchanged the ruins for Berneck
Castle in Kaunertal, transferring the site to the wealthy brothers
Veit-Jakob and Simon Tänzl.
The Tänzl brothers were commoners who had
amassed fortune through silver mining in Schwaz (a major mining center
at the time). They were later elevated to nobility in 1502.
Construction of the Current Castle (1500 Onward)
Starting in 1500,
the Tänzl brothers constructed the castle in its present form over about
eight years. They built a three-storey, four-wing complex around a
courtyard, including a stair tower, portals, arcades, columns, and
decorative elements like window sills and fireplaces made of Hagauer
marble. The north wing was initially left unfinished.
This new
structure blended late Gothic and early Renaissance styles, making it
one of the most splendid and lavish builds of its era in the region. It
featured ornate marble, wood, and ironwork.
16th Century:
Expansion Under Subsequent Owners
In 1553–1554, the Tänzl heirs sold
the castle to Georg Ritter von Ilsung, an Augsburg knight and merchant.
He completed the north wing and added striking façade paintings to the
inner courtyard, further developing it in the Renaissance spirit. His
family even incorporated "Tratzberg" into their name for a time.
Through marriage, the castle passed to the famous Fugger merchant family
of Augsburg. Jakob III Fugger inherited it in 1589 via his wife Anna von
Ilsung. The Fuggers, deeply involved in Tyrolean copper and silver
mining, further furnished the castle. Key remnants from this era include
the Fugger Chamber and Fugger Parlour, plus much of the preserved
original furniture documented in a detailed 1589 inventory.
The
Habsburg Hall (or Ballroom), a centerpiece of about 180 square meters,
features original frescoes from around 1508 depicting the Habsburg
family tree of Emperor Maximilian I.
17th–19th Centuries:
Changes, Decline, and Revival
The 17th and 18th centuries brought
multiple changes of ownership, including families like Stauber-Imhof,
Von der Halden, and the Barons of Tannenberg. The castle gradually fell
into disrepair and stood uninhabited for nearly 150 years at one point.
In 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars, Bavarian soldiers looted the
armoury and damaged some furniture.
A significant turning point came
in 1847 when the castle passed to the Enzenberg family through
inheritance (via the marriage of Franz Count Enzenberg to Ottilie
Countess Tannenberg). The Enzenbergs restored it and made it their main
residence.
The current owners represent a union of two prominent
Austrian noble lines: the Counts Goëss (with historical diplomatic and
political ties to the Habsburgs, including roles under Emperor Leopold I
and connections to Empress Maria Theresa) and the Counts Enzenberg
(known for military and diplomatic influence). Today, it is owned and
inhabited by Count Ulrich Goëss-Enzenberg and his wife Countess Katrin,
who continue restorations and live there year-round with their
family—the first generation in over 500 years to do so.
Preservation and Modern Era
Tratzberg is notable for its exceptional
preservation of original 16th-century furnishings, art, and
architecture—rare for such a property. This includes Gothic and
Renaissance pieces like a late Gothic South Tyrolean cupboard (c. 1460)
originally from the Teutonic Order.
The family credits diplomacy,
luck (e.g., a WWII bomb hitting the attic without causing fire), and
careful stewardship for its survival through wars and upheavals. A
massive mudslide centuries ago reportedly shifted the north wing's roof
truss.
Today, the castle (about 6,800 m² with a large shingle roof)
is open to the public with audio-guided tours (in multiple languages), a
children's fairy-tale version, and immersive VR experiences recreating
the 1492 fire and 1500s construction. It also hosts events and has been
used as a film location.
Overall Layout and Exterior
The castle is a three-storey,
four-wing complex arranged around a central courtyard, with a stair
tower, portals, arcades, columns, and decorative elements in Hagauer
marble (used for window sills, fireplaces, and portals).
Construction of the current structure began around 1500 on the ruins
of an earlier 13th-century fortress destroyed by fire in 1492. The
north wing was initially left unfinished and completed later.
The
building covers approximately 6,800 m², topped by an impressive
5,000 m² shingle roof (wooden shingles), which is a distinctive
feature of Tyrolean architecture. It includes towers with conical
roofs and a commanding, fortress-like presence suited to its
original role as a border fortress against Bavaria, later evolving
into a luxurious hunting lodge.
The exterior features whitewashed
walls with red-brown decorative framing around windows (often with
X-shaped shutters or grilles), leaded windows (said to number around
365, one for each day of the year), and Renaissance sgraffito or
painted elements. The structure blends defensive elements with
palatial elegance, reflecting the transition from medieval fortress
to Renaissance residence.
Inner Courtyard — The Heart of the
Castle
The central courtyard (over 900 m²) serves as the
theatrical core of the complex, with multi-level arcades on the
lower floors providing covered access to rooms. It is renowned for
its splendid Renaissance frescoes and painted decorations (restored
in recent years), featuring colorful motifs, relief columns, crests,
and architectural illusions. These date primarily from the Ilsung
and Fugger periods in the mid-to-late 16th century.
The courtyard
creates a sense of enclosure and grandeur, typical of Alpine
Renaissance palaces, with arches, painted friezes, and views into
the surrounding wings.
Key Architectural Features and
Materials
Late Gothic to Renaissance Transition: Built lavishly
by the Tänzl brothers (wealthy silver mine owners elevated to
nobility) with ornate marble, wood, and ironwork. Later owners
(Ilsung, Fugger) enhanced it in full Renaissance spirit.
Materials: Local stone, Hagauer marble for details, extensive wood
(pine, poplar, larch) for paneling and ceilings, leaded glass
windows, and ceramic tiled stoves (Kachelofen) — some masterpieces
by Hans Kraut or his workshop, featuring lead-glazed tiles with
biblical or folk scenes.
Interiors: Many rooms retain original
wood paneling, carved doors, inlaid furniture, coffered or beamed
ceilings, and frescoes. Furnishings represent a rare,
well-documented transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles,
preserved remarkably intact (detailed in a 1589 Fugger inventory).
Notable Rooms and Interiors
Public areas (about 10 rooms on
the first floor of the south wing and courtyard level) include:
Habsburg Hall (Habsburgersaal): A grand ballroom with original 1508
frescoes depicting the Habsburg family tree (148 figures), including
Emperor Maximilian I, his wives, and ancestors. This is one of the
castle’s highlights.
Hunting Hall: Features hand-carved life-size
animal and hunting scenes, reflecting its use as a Habsburg hunting
lodge.
Fugger Rooms (Fuggerstube and Chamber): Named after the
wealthy merchant family; showcase Renaissance furnishings and
paneling.
Women’s Parlour (Frauenstüberl) and Queen’s Room
(Königinnenzimmer): Intimate chambers with period utility furniture
(box beds, cradles, spinning wheels), ornate stoves, and delicate
woodwork. The Queen’s Room has a notable coffered ceiling reportedly
crafted over "seven years and seven months by seven carpenters and
seven journeymen."
Chapel: Late Gothic vaulting with period
sculptures; high altar from 1750 dedicated to St. Catherine of
Alexandria.
Armory: Extensive collection of 15th–16th century
weapons and armor.
Other Highlights: Tänzl brothers’ rooms on the
second floor, audience chambers with pine paneling, inlaid tables,
Gothic cupboards, and a 19th-century dining room with carved hunting
motifs.
Architectural Significance
Tratzberg exemplifies
Tyrolean Renaissance architecture: robust yet refined, blending
defensive massing with elegant interior spaces, lavish local
craftsmanship, and influences from Italian Renaissance (via trade
routes and merchant families like the Fuggers) filtered through
Alpine Gothic traditions. Its avoidance of later Baroque overhauls
(due to its status as a "humble" hunting lodge and periods of
disuse) makes it a rare time capsule of 16th-century noble life.
Ongoing restorations by the current owners (Count Ulrich and
Countess Katrin Goëss-Enzenberg) have preserved the shingle roof,
facade paintings, windows, and interiors, ensuring it remains both a
private residence and a public cultural monument.
Best Time to Visit (2026 Season)
Open: March 29 to November 8,
2026.
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday + all public holidays, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
(last tours typically start around 4 PM, sometimes later in peak
summer).
Peak crowds: Weekends, Austrian/German school holidays, and
bad weather days (people seek indoor activities).
Best times:
Weekdays, shoulder months (April–May, September–October), first tour (10
AM) or last tour (around 4 PM), and sunny days.
Tickets & Booking
(Strongly Recommended)
Guided tours only — You cannot wander freely.
Tours last about 1 hour in small groups (20–25 people).
Buy tickets
online in advance via the official website (schloss-tratzberg.at) for a
fixed time slot. This is the #1 way to avoid long waits (over an hour
possible on busy days).
Audio guides (included) are available in
multiple languages (German, English, etc.). Download the free “Tratzberg
Castle” app beforehand for your phone.
Children’s version: Fun
fairy-tale tour narrated by the castle ghost “Tratzi” and his mouse
friend (suitable from age 4, runs simultaneously with adult tour).
Special experiences: Virtual Reality tour (recreates the 1492 fire and
rebuild), occasional special “Maximilian” tours (Saturdays at 2 PM,
extra rooms).
Approximate prices (confirm on site as they can
vary):
Adults: ~€18
Youth (13–17): ~€12.50
Children (4–12):
~€9.50
Family ticket available.
How to Get There
By car:
Exit Inntal Autobahn at Schwaz, head toward Stans. Follow signs to the
large visitor parking lot at the base (paid, but reasonable). From
there:
Walk uphill through the forest (steep, 15–20 minutes, scenic).
Or take the fun Tratzberg Express (cute little green shuttle train,
short ride).
Public transport: Train to Jenbach or Schwaz, then ÖBB
bus line 601 to the castle parking lot.
Accessibility note: Not
barrier-free. There are stairs, and the historical building prevents
lifts. The path/train to the castle also involves some incline.
Dogs:
Generally not allowed inside, but small carried dogs may be permitted on
request. There’s a shaded “dog hotel” area at the base.
What to
Expect During the Visit
The audio-guided tour brings the castle to
life with voices of historical owners (Emperor Maximilian I connections,
Habsburg family tree with 148 figures, etc.). Highlights usually
include:
Renaissance courtyard
Opulent rooms with original
woodwork and furniture
Hunting Hall (with atmospheric sound effects)
Armory
Gothic chapel
Habsburg family tree mural
It’s very
atmospheric and family-friendly. Many visitors note it feels less
“museum-like” and more like stepping into a real noble home.
Photography: Generally not permitted inside the furnished rooms (to
protect artifacts and respect the private home). Take plenty of exterior
and courtyard photos.
Duration: Plan 1.5–2.5 hours total (tour +
travel to/from parking + shop/grounds time).
Practical Visiting
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes — Expect stairs and some uneven surfaces
inside and on the approach path.
Weather: Bring layers; the castle
can be cool inside even in summer. The walk/train is exposed.
Crowd
avoidance: Book ahead, go early/late, or mid-week. Sunny days are better
for fewer people.
Kids: The children’s audio tour keeps them engaged.
There may be a treasure hunt or quiz.
Facilities: Restrooms at the
top. Small knight’s shop for souvenirs. Limited food options on-site
(nearby Gasthof/Schlosswirt may have options).
Combine with nearby:
Jenbach (Zillertal Railway), Swarovski Crystal Worlds (Wattens, ~20–30
min away), or Innsbruck (30–40 min).
Winter: Closed to protect the
building (no heating).