Fernstein Castle

Fernstein Castle is a castle ruin in the Tyrolean village of Fernstein, municipality of Nassereith.

The current castle ruin was first mentioned in a document in 1288. Between 1308 and 1339, construction work is said to have taken place on the castle. Duke Sigmund commissioned an extensive expansion, which began in 1451. In 1543, the fortifications were also expanded. The castle had a large residential tower. Its ruins are still preserved, as are the curtain wall and the original high entrance, which is walled up in the south wall. The ground-level access, through which one enters the ruin today, is, however, late medieval.

Around 1500, the so-called "Niederhaus" was built on the Fernpass road, with a hermitage, customs post, inn, armory, ducal chamber, and stables for 70 horses. It has been structurally altered and now serves as a farm building. Next to the Niederhaus is a chapel, the late Gothic Fourteen Holy Helpers Chapel. It was commissioned by Archduke Sigmund in 1478.

In 1552, the Tyroleans held back Elector Moritz of Saxony, who was invading from Bavaria, in the castle; Emperor Charles V was thus able to escape.