Perched on the 740-meter high moraine hill of Pfeffersberg, the ruins of Pfeffersberg Castle offer a unique glimpse into the city's past. This castle, also known as Pfefferburg, was built around the second half of the 12th century by Hermann vom Michaelstor, a brother of the Ministerial and Burggraf Albert. The castle was named after its builder, who from that point on called himself von Pfeffersberg. However, the family of von Pfeffersberg died out around 1260, and the castle fell back to the Voitsberg family.
The castle is first mentioned in written records in 1233, when Bishop Heinrich confirmed certain revenues to the cathedral chapter. During the feud between the Voitsberg family and Bishop Bruno, the castle suffered significant damage and was eventually abandoned. The Burgruine Pfeffersberg is protected against the mountain side in the West by a depression with a backfall hill. A prehistoric settlement was found on the hill. Its Ringwall is visible from afar and is often mistaken for a vineyard wall.
At the foot of the hill, the remains of an old well can still be seen. The hill offers a panoramic view of the city of Brixen and the entire valley.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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