Sallegg Castle - between the mountains and Lake Kaltern

Located next to the St. Catherine Church, Sallegg Castle has shaped the villagescape of Kaltern’s Mitterdorf district since the 16th century. Originally built as the residence of the Herren von Sall, the castle changed hands several times over the centuries, passing through distinguished families such as the von Zinn, the Edlen von Zill, Sepp von Seppenburg, and the Barons Unterrichter von Rechtenthal, who were already engaged in viticulture – as evidenced by historic wine labels preserved in the castle.

The castle's fascinating history begins in 1851, when it was acquired by Archduke Rainer of Austria, the viceroy of Lombardo Veneto. Around 1900, his granddaughter, Maria Raineria Lucchesi Palli, princess of Campofranco, had it rebuilt according to the plans of the famous Viennese architect Anton Weber into a magnificent castle, with a castle garden and inner courtyard. The castle was eventually inherited by the Counts of Kuenburg.

The Überetsch Style – an architectural phenomenon prevailing in this region – stems from the intensive building activity of the 16th century. Italian master builders brought their artistic talents with them to the Überetsch district and combined columns, loggias, and the symmetrical aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance with local traditions. Sallegg Castle is an excellent example of this architectural style and embodies the unification of regional and Italian influences in the region's architectural and artistic history.

Another important testament to earlier times can be seen in the fresco located over the castle gate. It was created in gratitude for the fact that the castle was protected from the ravages of World War II. The fresco depicts the "Three Holy Girls" and an airplane. The inscription "Anno Domini 1950" appears under it. To the right, one sees the alliance coat of arms of Kuenburg/Lucchesi Palli. It bears the handwriting of the artist Peter Fellin.

Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, King Carlos III of Spain, Count Ettore Lucchesi Palli, Prince Carlo Emanuele of Savoy, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France – emperors and kinds of Austria, Spain, and France as well as princely rulers from Italy and princes and princesses are all to be found in the family tree of the Counts of Kuenburg.

Archduke Rainer of Austria, the great-great-great grandfather of the current owner, acquired Sallegg Castle in 1851. Together with his family, he hosted friends and relatives, who were always cheerfully received in the village with music and flags. Rainer's brother, Archduke John, devoted himself to agricultural activities. Maria Raineria, his granddaughter, worked to protect the designation "Lake Kaltern." In Bozen, numerous sites testify to the social commitment and responsibility that this noble family consistently demonstrated toward the region and its people.

The desire to be close to nature and deeply connected to the land has united generations of the Kuenburg family to this day. A deep appreciation for wine and nature is reflected in various ways: through Maria Raineria, Princess of Campofranco, who cultivated orchards and vineyards; in the carefully designed gardens and the historic castle, which dates back to the 16th century; and in the floral paintings of Vicereine Archduchess Elisabetta, who, alongside her husband Archduke Rainer, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia and a fellow flower enthusiast, made the castle their home from 1851 onwards. 

Leopoldine, Karal, Marei, Elisa, Rénier – many of our wines bear the names of our ancestors. Others are deeply intertwined with family history, such as the radiant and unique Moscato Rosa, once a bridal gift from Enrico Count Lucchesi Palli, Prince of Campofranco – a rare treasure that continues to be nurtured with patience and expertise. 

Today, the manor house at the historic Leisenhof estate serves as a boutique hotel, weaving history into the present. Furnishings from the castle’s collection adorn its rooms, suites, and the Vineria wine bar.

Ancestors since the year 1851

• Archduke Rainer, Viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia (1783-1853) & Elisabetta, Princess of Savoy-Carignano (1800-1856)
• Archduke Heinrich (1828-1891) & Leopoldine Baroness of Waidek (1842-1891)
• Enrico Lucchesi Palli, Prince of Campofranco (1861-1924) & Maria Raineria Countess von Waidek (1872-1936)
• Siegfried Count von Kuenburg (1886 -1968) & Maria Renata Lucchesi Palli dei Principi di Campofranco (1895 -1976)
• Eberhard Count von Kuenburg (1925 -2020) & Franziska Countess von Goëss (1923 - 1989)
• Georg Count von Kuenburg & Charlotte Noé Edle v. Nordberg