Once an admirable manor house, Jaufenburg in St. Leonhard in Passeier now presents itself to visitors with only a few remains, including the main tower (a detached branch of the Passeier Museum). A visit to this imposing tower not only allows you to admire a series of precious Renaissance frescoes, but also to enjoy a magnificent view over the Val Passiria. A relaxing walk leads to the castle.
What remains of the castle, the magnificent main tower perched on the hillside, is now a branch of the Passeier Museum, where documents relating to the history of the castle are kept and interesting facts about the area can be learned (justice in Passeier, the 'shield farms'). Particularly noteworthy are the frescoes by the famous South Tyrolean painter Bartlme Dill Riemenschneider dating back to 1538 on the fourth floor of the tower, while the fifth floor offers a 360° view of the beautiful landscape of the Passeiertal valley and the Merano basin.
A visit to Jaufenburg is not complete without experiencing the beautiful walk from St. Leonhard's Bridge along the Via del Giudizio or the Sun Promenade to the castle.
The "tower under the Giovo", later called Jaufenburg, was built by the Lords of Passiria in the middle of the 13th century. The stately flats, built in the 14th century in the south-west wing, were later extended by the Counts Fuchs, the owners of the manor from 1383 onwards. From this date onwards, a golden age began for the castle: the fortress became an important centre of activity and meetings with actors and minstrels. However, the castle was soon abandoned and began its slow decline until 1828, when it was converted into a farmstead.
How to get there | Jaufenburg
Jaufenburg can be reached on foot in 30 minutes from the centre of San Leonardo in Passiria, about 20 km north of Merano. It can also be reached via the Passo Giovo (altitude 2,094 m) or the Passo del Rombo (altitude 2,474 m, open from June to October).
Tickets, open, guided tours | Jaufenburg
Free admission for Young people (0 – 18 y.o.)
Regular: 10.00 EUR
Reduced: 9.00 EUR (Local residents, over 65+, Students, people with disabilities)
Groups of 10 paying visitors or more: 7.00 EUR
Price per pupil: 5.00 EUR (free admission for accompanying teachers)
Combined tickets allow one admission to the Bunker Mooseum and one admission to the MuseumPasseier with prices as follows:
Single 12.00 EUR
Family 23.00 EUR
Last admission: one hour before closing
For further information
Museum Passiria
Via Passiria, 72
39015 St. Leonhard in Passeier
Tel. (+39) 0473 659086
