Schloss Matzen

Schloss Matzen is built upon a rocky outcrop overlooking the Inn River, a site chosen to prevent flooding. Its foundation rests on Romanesque stonework dating back to the castle’s earliest phases. The main structure features a large central building surrounding a courtyard that rises four stories high and is encircled by arcaded galleries. These galleries showcase groined Gothic vaults—vaults formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles—supported by octagonal marble columns dating from the early 1500s.

The castle’s layout comprises elongated wings extending north and south, connected by a short wing to the west, with a six-story round keep tower on the eastern end. The tower’s round design is unusual in the region and likely stems from its Roman origin, possibly indicating continuity from the earlier Roman site. Surrounding the upper walls are machicolations—stone openings used for defensive actions—added in the 19th century during restoration. The outer perimeter was once protected by a moat, which was later filled in and transformed into a landscaped garden.

Within the courtyard, wooden galleries crisscross the space and were introduced during 19th-century renovations led by Fanny von Carolsfeld. She also added balconied oriel windows—protruding bay windows with decorative supports—on the south and west wings, offering views over the adjacent valleys.

The interior includes a two-story Gothic chapel aligned east to west, first documented in the late 15th century and featuring a Baroque altar installed during the 17th century by Matthias Pock. The Knight’s Hall contains a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a large fireplace located in its northeast corner. Other interior details comprise wooden paneling and hunting trophies collected over the centuries. During 20th-century restorations, several medieval wall paintings emerged from beneath later layers, revealing fragments of the castle’s artistic heritage.

Several Late Gothic door frames crafted from Hagauer marble—a regional stone notable for its quality—were preserved and integrated into the castle during various restoration phases. Schloss Matzen also once housed the Matzener Crucifix, a significant early German wooden sculpture associated with the Danube school of art; this piece is now located at the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum.

The lower courtyard incorporates a 16th-century economic building that functioned as a farmstead or service area and currently operates as the Gasthaus Matzen. This structure is protected as a historic monument in its own right. Surrounding the castle, a large English-style garden covering approximately 15 hectares was laid out in the 19th century. This landscaped park features four artificial ponds, extensive lawns, and a diverse collection of around 40 tree species. Portions of the garden have been designated natural monuments due to their ecological and historical value.

The castle’s steep walls rise almost vertically from the rock base and are largely windowless for the first four to five stories, serving defensive purposes. Roof timbers and about fifty windows installed during the early 18th-century restoration attest to repairs following damage in the War of the Spanish Succession. The original steep passageway that connected the valley floor to the courtyard is now partially occupied by an auxiliary building known as “Gut Matzen,” which sits at the base of the castle.

Restoration across the late 19th and 20th centuries focused on stabilizing the stonework, enclosing open arcades for protection, replacing wooden walkways with newer structures, and modernizing internal circulation. An internal staircase was installed to improve access between levels, and heating systems were updated to enhance habitability—all while respecting the historic character of the castle.