In true Gothic style, with a high hipped roof, on a hill surrounded by vines, shining in the warm sunlight, Englar Castle was built around 1441.
The observation tower from the late Middle Ages on solid porphyry rock, in a safe position with a far-reaching view over the valley, convinced the noble family Firmian from Überetsch to consider the place good, to regard a fortified castle as unnecessary and to establish a noble seat of power.
At the same time as the construction of the stately home, the house church of St. Sebastian was also built for spiritual edification and blessing.
The hotel is open from 1621 until today - more than 400 1 years - the Counts of Khuen-Belasi inhabit, manage and revive the castle and its associated estate with style, enthusiasm and creativity.
Geniuses of the family in prominent positions influenced and shaped the fate of the Tyrol with great idealism.
Rainer Maria Rilke appreciated the free spirit and romanticism of the house and its inspiring surroundings and was a regular guest in Englar from 1895.
After the turmoil of the war, the castle was almost lost and had lost much of its habitability.
But it is not for nothing that the count's family has a tower and a lion as their coat of arms - they have preserved the house with boldness, courage and openness.
Today, the castle is more beautiful than ever and warmly open to guests and new things with the permanence, confidence and foresight of centuries.
Excitement at Englar Castle - The first automobile
A recurring guest at Englar Castle, Otto Julius Bierbaum caused some excitement when he appeared with his automobile in 1902.
Nannerl, a girl from a simple local family with many children, who was the first to have the courage to get into the car and go for a ride, describes it like this:
"We children already knew Otto Julius Bierbaum. When he came by car for the first time, we all ran to see the cloud of dust from afar and heard a hellish spectacle. None of us had ever seen a car before." Otto Julius Bierbaum laughed when we hid behind the barn.
He waved us over and we took a good look at the vehicle from all sides, but when he asked who would like to take a ride, no one dared.
If I tell you, it was only me he asked personally: "Nannele, will you ride with me?"
I just shook my head. But he kept on talking: "If you go, you'll get a new dress, shoes, stockings, everything that goes with it." That hit home! I've never had a new dress before! It wasn't even a thought! I thought of the new clothes and climbed into the car. Otto Julius Bierbaum turned the front of the car and suddenly it started to rattle, he jumped into the car and everything shook and trembled and with a jolt it started.
I got so scared that I hopped out, straight into a rose hedge.
But Otto Julius Bierbaum talked well to me, so I got back into the car. I was still afraid. And everywhere we went, people jumped to the side and crossed themselves.
But then I quite enjoyed the driving. We went up to the Kaltererhöh. Back on the village square we stopped and went into a shop and I was allowed to choose the material for my new dress and also a petticoat and fine lace to go with it.
When I arrived at Englar Castle, I took my bundle and ran home.
I really enjoyed driving and was allowed to ride along with Otto Julius Bierbaum more often. Mother sewed a new dress from the fabric just for me and I always wore it on Sundays.
In 1903, the travel book "Eine empfindsame Reise im Automobil" by Otto Julius Bierbaum - German journalist, editor and writer from 1865-1910 - was published. It is considered the first German car travel book in German literature.
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