Rodengo Castle

Rodengo Castle is one of the biggest and most impressive fortified castles in South Tyrol and boasts not only a unique and prestigious position above the gorge of the Rienza river, but also numerous rooms and cellars in its interiour. The castle was built by Friedrich von Rodank in the 12th century and stayed in his possession until about 1300. In the 16th century the family of the famous minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein restored and enlarged it.

Today, it is still in the possession of Oswald von Wolkenstein's successors and a part of it is even occupied. It also hosts a museum. Most of the furniture in the exhibition rooms dates back to the late Renaissance.

Rodengo Castle gained much popularity when in the year 1972 the famous Iwein frescoes were discovered. These 11 wall paintings in the great hall of the castle date back to the time period between 1200 and 1220 and are the oldest secular frescoes in the German language area. They tell the story of Iwein, one of the knights of King Arthur's Round Table.