Coira Castle

The impeccably preserved Coira Castle (Churburg) stands majestically above Sluderno village. First documented in 1259 as "Curberch", the castle was commissioned around 1250 by Prince-Bishop Heinrich von Montfort of Chur. However, by 1297, ownership had passed to the Lords of Mazia, who were in constant feud with the Bishopric of Chur. In the early 16th century, after the death of the last Lord of Mazia, the Counts of Trapp inherited the castle and remain its owners to this day.

The oldest part - the keep, great hall, and curtain wall - dates back to the Romanesque period. Churburg Castle retained its medieval appearance until the 16th century. With the transfer of ownership to the Counts of Trapp, extensive renovations began. Residential buildings, outer bailey walls, a chapel, bay windows, and Gothic-style garden terraces were added to the existing structure. In the latter half of the 16th century, Coira Castle was finally transformed into a magnificent Renaissance palace. It was never destroyed.

The castle today houses a wealth of richly furnished rooms. Particularly impressive are the Madonna sculpture and the funerary hatchments in the castle chapel, as well as the painted arcade with its Renaissance vault made of Lasa marble. Coira Castle boasts the world's largest private armoury: It comprises 50 well-preserved suits of armour, along with edged weapons and swords - virtually a complete set of equipment for a castle garrison. How to get to Coira Castle?

The castle is easily accessible on foot from the car park below. Incidentally, the Medieval Knight Games South Tyrol take place every August in the meadow below Sluderno, overlooking Coira Castle. From here, hikes lead to the Edelweiss Path and along the Sluderno Waalwege paths.