Ossana Castle, Ossana, Italy - SpottingHistory.com

St. Michael castle in Ossana stands on a rocky outcrop. The first written record dates back to 1191. The castle was owned by the Prince Bishops of Trento, Counts of Tyrol-Gorizia, de Federici, Heydorf and Bertelli families. Today is well-preserved with an imposing tower about 25 meters high.

User Reviews

George On tour (2 years ago)
Thanks to its position on an inaccessible promontory above the village of Ossana and along the trade route of the Passo Tonale, between the Trentino and the upper area of Brescia, the castle enjoyed complete civil and criminal administration under the Episcopal Curia. It is supposed, that the complex dates back to the Langobards, but the first written evidence dates back to 1191. Several noble families owned the castle, among them also the Prince-Bishops of Trento, the Counts of Gorizia-Tyrol and Bertha von Suttner, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 1905. The mighty keep, about 25 m high, is not only the most characteristic element but also the best preserved of the entire complex. Parts of the castle are also a drawbridge, a fortified porch, guard rooms and a prison

Dani KING (2 years ago)
Amazing!!!!

Giovani Rissi (3 years ago)
Place of historical interest. Open spaces with snow and Christmas market.

Andrea Spallanzani (4 years ago)
Beautiful castle with a spectacular view of the valley and the mountains.

Pam Resner (4 years ago)
Very cool place to visit. Had very unique diorama about Christmas during WWI. You can still see carvings in the tower from WWI soldiers and earlier. Plenty of areas to explore around the upper walls and tower. Very friendly and helpful staff.

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At the end of the 13th century the Liechtensteins, originally from Styria, became holders of all of Lednice and of nearby Mikulov. They gradually acquired land on both sides of the Moravian-Austrian border. Members of the family most often found fame in military service, during the Renaissance they expanded their estates through economic activity. From the middle of the 15th century members of the family occupied the highest offices in the land. However, the family’s position in Moravia really changed under the brothers Karel, Maximilian, and Gundakar of Liechtenstein. Through marriage Karel and Maximilian acquired the great wealth of the old Moravian dynasty of the Černohorskýs of Boskovice. At that time the brothers, like their father and grandfather, were Lutheran, but they soon converted to Catholicism, thus preparing the ground for their rise in politics. Particularly Karel, who served at the court of Emperor Rudolf II, became hetman of Moravia in 1608, and was later raised to princely status by King Matyas II and awarded the Duchy of Opava.

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