Scena Castle, Schenna, Italy

Scena castle, also called Castel Schenna, has first been documented in 1346, but this refers to a forerunner of the building. Only Petermann from Scena, burgrave from Tyrol and minion of Margaret, Countess of Tyrol, had the castle complex built in 1350, the way it appears today.

In the years to follow the castle repeatedly changed hands. Among the famous owners there were the Lords of Starkenberg, the Counts of Lichtenstein and Archduke John of Austria. They inhabited the castle complex and renovated, changed and shaped it. Today the Earls of Merano, descendants of Archduke John of Austria, live in and cultivate the castle complex.

Via a bridge you can reach the entrance and by passing the oubliette you come to the inner courtyard. In the inside you can visit lordy rooms, a Renaissance hall with faience oven dating back to the 18th century, a painting gallery and a weapons collection dating back to the 12th to the 19th century, as well as the biggest private Andreas Hofer collection. Part of the castle is also a mausoleum in neo-Gothic style, in which Archduke John and his family were entombed. Curiosity: Castel Scena is one of the fews castles in the surroundings of Merano which has never been abandoned and so it never began to decay.

References:

suedtirolerland.it

User Reviews

Aidan Peoples (8 months ago)
An option as a tour when the weather isn't great. Interesting family history and lots of interesting paintings and military artifacts (swords, guns, small cannons etc.) Over priced for adults €12 and kids €5. Kids should be free at least until twelve years old. The guide knew the history well and answered any question that were asked but the tour missed some sparkle for the kids for example, a ghost story, a secret passage, a hidden room.. Still nice to learn about the rooms and the history.

Tamila Sliusar (2 years ago)
Terrible service in the restaurant! Rude staff

MDK (5 years ago)
Boring... nothing of interest.

Teruko Rohr (5 years ago)
Nice castle that belonged to the Hapsburg Family decendant, Archduke Johann (thus you will see many portraits and paintings of the ancestors of him). The one hour guide was unfortunately in German but you can purchas e an English guide book inside when the castle opens for it's next tour. The guide also seemed to speak Italian.

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