The castle and the village are placed on a rocky spur that falls into the gorge of the Rienza river.
This spectacular position gives a breathtaking view.

The castle is perfectly preserved and owes its fame primarily to the thirteenth-century frescoes representing the Arthurian cycle of Ywain, whose character is thought to be based on Owain mab Urien, king of Rheged during the late 6th century.
These frescoes are considered the oldest frescos of the genre in Europe.

A bit history:
In 1140 Friedrich I of Rodank built the castle which remained in possession of his family up to the extinction of the house around 1300. Thereupon Castel Rodengo was subject to territorial city administration for 200 years, until in 1491 it became the property of the counts of Wolkenstein-Rodenegg.
During the Peasants’ War (1524-1526) it was attacked without ever being conquered.
In the 16th century it was expanded by the family of the troubadour Oswald von Wolkenstein who transformed it in one of the most impressive South Tyrolean manors.

A curiosity:
The castle jail, called "Lauterfresserloch", owes its name to Matthias Perger, a warlock condemned to the stake for witchcraft.
Because of his preferences for soup - which in Tyrolean dialect is simply called “Lauteres”, that’s to say “fluid” - he was named “Lauterfresser”.

For more info:
www.suedtirolerland.it: castel rodengo
wikipedia: Castello di Rodengo
www.musei-altoadige.it

Info:
tel. +39 391 7489492, schloss.rodenegg@gmail.com