Treuenstein Castle

Treuenstein Castle, locally known as G'scheibter Turm or Torre Druso, is a medieval fortification situated on the outskirts of Bolzano in the Gries borough of South Tyrol, northern Italy. Constructed between 1276 and 1278 by Meinhard, Count of Tyrol, the structure was originally built as a reward for his loyal vassal Friedrich, a burgher from Bolzano. The name Treuenstein translates to "loyal stone," a title bestowed by Meinhard to symbolize his complete trust in Friedrich. This act of fealty allowed Friedrich to adopt the name of the estate, marking the beginning of a distinguished career that saw him appointed as the captain and administrator of Trento before his death around 1294.

Despite Friedrich having five sons, the Treuenstein family line became extinct in 1348, leading to a period of frequent ownership changes and rapid decay. By the 15th century, the complex had largely disappeared, leaving only the main tower standing. In 1656, the nobleman Cyriac Troyer von Giessbach acquired the ruins and renamed the site Troyenstein. After changing hands several more times, the property was purchased in 1862 by Karl Pieschl, who remodeled the adjacent manor house in the Tudor Revival architectural style. Today, the historic keep remains a prominent local landmark, commonly referred to as the "sliced tower," with a nearby street named in its honor.