Freundsberg Castle

Freundsberg Castle is a castle in the outskirts of Schwaz, Tyrol. The hilltop castle is situated on a high hill visible from afar, approximately 170 meters above the valley level of the Inn Valley.

The Lords of Freundsberg built the fortress around 1150. Originally, the complex consisted solely of a five-story residential tower (28 m), which has been maintained to this day and has remnants of the original fresco painting. On November 23, 1176, the papal legate Archbishop Conrad I of Mainz consecrated the first chapel, dedicated to the Holy Cross and St. Mary. The castle was sold in 1467 to Archduke Sigismund the Rich in Coins, who restored it in the following years and briefly named it Sigmundsruh, according to another sourceSiegmundsfried.

A late Renaissance-style palace church was erected between 1634 and 1637. After several owners, the complex has been held by the city of Schwaz since 1812, and restoration began in 1966. In 1930, the first museum in Schwaz opened on Innsbrucker Strasse. The castle keep has been used as a local history museum since 1948, showing the development of Schwaz and the silver mining that took place in the region.

The History of Freundsberg Castle

The history of Freundsberg Castle dates back to the 10th century, when the area was part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. The first mention of the castle was in 1150, when it was owned by the lords of Freundsberg, a noble family that originated from the nearby village of Freundsberg. The lords of Freundsberg were loyal vassals of the Habsburgs, and played an important role in the politics and wars of the region. The castle was the main residence and the administrative center of the lords of Freundsberg, who also owned several other castles and estates in Tyrol and Bavaria.

The castle was expanded and fortified several times over the centuries, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it faced the threats of the Swiss Confederacy and the Ottoman Empire. The castle also witnessed the rise and fall of the silver mining industry in Schwaz, which made the town one of the richest and most powerful in the Holy Roman Empire. The castle hosted many distinguished guests, such as Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol, Emperor Maximilian I, and King Ferdinand I.

The castle declined in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it lost its strategic and economic importance, and suffered from the damages of the fires, earthquakes, and wars that affected the town. The castle was sold by the last lord of Freundsberg in 1812 to the town of Schwaz, which used it as a hospital, a school, and a prison. In 1948, the castle was restored and converted into a museum, which showcases the cultural and historical heritage of Schwaz and Tyrol.

The Features of Freundsberg Castle

Freundsberg Castle is a remarkable example of the medieval and early modern architecture and art in Tyrol, and has many features that are worth admiring and exploring. Some of the features are:

The Exterior: The castle has a striking and imposing exterior, with a square keep, a round tower, a curtain wall, and a gatehouse. The castle is surrounded by a moat and a garden, which offer a panoramic view of the town and the valley. The castle also has a chapel, which was built in 1637 and dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of the knights. The chapel has a Baroque altar and a painting of the martyrdom of St. George.
The Interior: The castle has a spacious and elegant interior, with several rooms and halls, which display various exhibits and collections. The castle has a permanent exhibition, which covers the history and the culture of Schwaz and Tyrol, from the prehistoric times to the present day. The exhibition includes artifacts, documents, paintings, sculptures, weapons, costumes, and models, that illustrate the topics such as the silver mining, the coin minting, the religious life, the folklore, and the art of Schwaz and Tyrol.
The Tower: The tower is the oldest and the highest part of the castle, and dates back to the 12th century. The tower has four floors, each with a different theme and style. The first floor has a Gothic hall, which was used as a courtroom and a banquet hall. The second floor has a Renaissance hall, which was used as a living room and a bedroom. The third floor has a Baroque hall, which was used as a chapel and a library. The fourth floor has a Rococo hall, which was used as a music room and a study. The tower also has a roof terrace, which offers a spectacular view of the surroundings.

Freundsberg Castle is a splendid and magnificent castle that reflects the history, culture, and faith of Schwaz and Tyrol, and the importance and influence of the lords of Freundsberg in Europe and the world. The castle is a must-see for anyone who is interested in medieval and early modern architecture and art, and in the social and political life of the town. The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 22:00, and the admission fee is 6 euros for adults, 4 euros for seniors and students, and free for children under 14.

Schwaz, Austria