Itter Castle

Schloss Itter stands on a knoll above the Brixental valley in Tirol, about five kilometres south of Wörgl. The present building dates from the late 19th century and replaces a medieval fortress first recorded in 1241. Earlier fortifications may have existed since the 10th century, when the valley belonged to the Prince-Bishops of Regensburg. The castle once guarded the bishops’ estates against the Archbishops of Salzburg, yet in 1312 Salzburg took control of the region. After centuries of decay the ruins were rebuilt in a Tudor Revival style for the pianist Sophie Menter, who entertained Liszt, Rubinstein and Tchaikovsky there.

During the Second World War the Nazis turned Itter Castle into a prison for prominent French figures. Among the inmates were former prime ministers Édouard Daladier and Paul Reynaud, generals Maxime Weygand and Maurice Gamelin, and tennis champion Jean Borotra. The castle also held Marie-Agnès de Gaulle, sister of the Free French leader, in April 1945. In the final days of the war American and German anti-Nazi troops joined the prisoners to defend the castle against attacking SS forces.

Visitors cannot enter the private residence today, but the exterior and hilltop setting remain impressive. The knoll offers wide views over the valley and the surrounding Alps. The castle’s dramatic history is still visible in its walls, which witnessed the extraordinary alliance of former enemies in May 1945.