The medieval court of Merano Castle

The Princely Castle in Merano is no ordinary medieval castle. Constructed in the 15th century under Duke Sigismund d'Austria, it served as an administrative seat and a private residence. Over the years, it has seen the coming and going of the noble class, a brief visit by Emperor Maximilian I, and a slow decay in the 17th century, relegated to religious ceremonies. Yet it was rescued from the brink in 1815, freshly acquired by the municipal government of Merano, and was meticulously restored between 1878 and 1880. Today, it stands as a picture of the Gothic era, complete with 15th-century-old items, a rich collection of musical instruments, and weapons, and a set of halls adorned with frescoes depicting scenes of nature and human figures. The castle attracts about 20,000 visitors per year and is used for civil marriage ceremonies.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons