Grifo Castle: Rebellions, legends, and mysteries in the Adige Valley

Suspended in time and surrounded by a legendary aura, Grifo Castle rises among the hills overlooking the Adige Valley, in an area steeped in history and ancient settlements.

The origins of the manor

The first document mentioning the castle dates back to 1159, when it was inhabited by the Lords of Morit, who held power over the County of Bolzano. After the extinction of the family, ownership passed to the Bishop of Trento, who later granted it to the Counts of Appiano, powerful feudal lords of the region.

Amid sieges, destruction, and rebuilding, the castle was repeatedly involved in the power struggles that shook Tyrol, especially during the uprisings against Duke Frederick of Habsburg, known as “Empty-Pockets”. Leading the rebels was Wilhelm von Starkenberg, and among their ranks was even the famous poet Oswald von Wolkenstein.

The pig thrown from the tower: The legend

A curious anecdote — which became legend — tells that during one of the sieges, when supplies were nearly gone, the defenders threw a stuffed pig over the walls to show the besiegers that they still had plenty of food. From that time on, the castle was nicknamed “Pig Castle”, a name that continues to add to its mysterious charm.

A land inhabited since ancient times

The area surrounding the castle is steeped in history. Archaeological excavations reveal human presence since the Neolithic, with settlements continuing through the Iron Age, the Roman era, and the Early Middle Ages.

Near the castle, around 700 AD, the first Christian place of worship in the area was founded. Today, that sacred site is represented by a small church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian, likely built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple.

A forgotten castle, but never silent

Grifo Castle stands as a silent witness to revolts, legends, and transformations, set in a land that has seen the passage of peoples, faiths, and battles. And although time has worn away part of its stones, the stories that dwell within it still echo through the valley air.