Palazzo Gerstburg (in German Ansitz Gerstburg) is a Renaissance palace in Bolzano, today the seat of the Regional Administrative Court.
What to see
Inside is a chapel dating from 1495. In 1744 the lords and bankers Menz acquired the palace and commissioned Martin Knoller to fresco the hall on the second floor with a large depiction of Aurora. The building has been under protection as an artistic monument since 1951.
The palace rose on the site of the farm Zum Winkel, owned by the Gerstl family of Bolzano, who in 1488 are attested with Sigmund Gerstl zu Gerstburg, burger in Botzenn, that is already ennobled with the manor of Gerstburg. Between 1603 and 1609 the noble family Giovanelli zu Gerstburg und Hörtenberg had a large south-east wing added.
Visiting
Since the palace houses the Regional Administrative Court, it is not a museum: the sources consulted give no public openings, so access to the interior, including Knoller's hall, should be checked.
Our editors' tip
If you get the chance to go in, look on the second floor for the hall frescoed by Martin Knoller with the Aurora: Knoller also decorated the church of Sant'Agostino at Muri-Gries in Bolzano and painted the altarpiece of the church of the Teutonic Order.
