Schloss Matzen, an elegant and imposing 12th century castle, near the ski slopes of Reith im Alpbachtal, today houses a hotel where you can breathe the atmosphere of bygone days, including rooms finely decorated with period furniture without neglecting modern conveniences. The complex includes a spa, a restaurant, a Gothic-style chapel and a banquet hall where to celebrate the most special events.
Schloss Matzen History
In the 12th century the Matzen castle was built in Romanesque style. The owners and appearance of the castle have changed over the centuries. Today the rooms are named after the various owners of the castle.
The castle is mentioned in historical documents for the first time in 1167, resulting in possession of the Frundsberg knight.
After two periods of Romanesque construction, during the ownership of Frundsberg which lasted until 1468, a period of Gothic construction led to a significant expansion of the complex.
Subsequently Matthias Türndl, the Ross family, alternated as owners until 1521 and then took possession of the Fieger. This gave Matzen its current form.
It was this period that the castle was converted into a residential building. Next to it were added the arcades that connect the different wings to each other and give the courtyards their picturesque charm.
Matthias Pock, who owned Matzen from 1658 to 1684, designed the chapel, originally in late Gothic style.
In the Rococo era around 1684 Johann Ferdinand Yrsch bought the castle, then selling it in 1734 to Joseph Ruppert of Pfeiffersberg. 1776 the Pfeiffersberg family was put under protection by the state government. Under the ownership of the Pfeiffersberg family Matzen burned and became a ruin.
1873 Matzen was bought by the Irish lady Fanny Reade of Mount Heaton-Grohmann and saved the historic jewel before it went into decline. His son, William Adolf Baillie Grohman, was a lover of the Tyrol, a mountaineer and writer. Among others, he wrote books about the Tyrol and its sanctuaries. Through these books the Tyrol was introduced to the British and American public. One of his friends was US President Theodore Roosevelt, who spent much time at Matzen Castle.
Until 1957, Schloss Matzen was owned by Captain Tom Michael Baillie Grohman, who used the palace as a summer residence until it was sold to the Austrian-born American architect Ernst Kump. In 2008, it was finally taken over by the current owners and with much renewed effort.
Schloss Matzen is one of the most historic sites in Tyrol. It is known for its Romanesque "Bergfried" - the tower (the "tower of the churn" tapering upwards is unique in North Tyrol), for its perimeter walls and for the various courtyards with arcades.
Inside the castle there are other historical jewels, such as a Gothic chapel with a Baroque altar, the room of the knights with barrel vault with fireplace and the library with ancient hunting trophies.
The castle is surrounded by the 200,000 square meter Matzenpark, which can be visited directly from the castle. The park is one of the most beautiful and precious natural monuments of Tyrol. Below the castle, Gut Matzen finds himself and welcomes his guests in his charming restaurant, in the cafeteria and in the romantic garden restaurant.