Druso Tower (Gscheibter Turm): A Medieval Keep in Bolzano

**Torre Druso (Gscheibter Turm)** is a surprise in the Gries district of Bolzano. You find yourself there, perhaps by chance, and suddenly you see this 13th-century keep towering near the Fago stream, along the old road to San Genesio. Its slender cylindrical shape, swallowtail merlons, and narrow arrow slits all speak of a medieval era of defense and territorial control. It’s not as imposing as other towers, but its presence is magnetic. It seems like a small urban jewel, surrounded by traces of ancient walls. If you love authentic places, this is the right spot for a break from the usual downtown stroll.

The history of Druso Tower begins in the **13th century**: in 1231 it is recorded as *Trowenstein*, the keep of Treuenstein Castle, built by the family bearing that name atop an older structure. In 1497, a document of Maximilian I refers to it as *zum Scheyblingen turn*, i.e., ’round tower’. The Italian name ‘Druso’ is actually a 17th-century invention by the Franciscan friar Ferdinand Troyer, who associated it with the Roman commander Drusus the Elder; a myth later revived by Ettore Tolomei in the 20th century. In 1862, owner Karl Pieschl added a Tudor-style manor, designed by architect Sebastian Altmann, on the ruins of the ancient castle. In a few lines: a story of families, laws, and a few misunderstandings.

• 1231: first mention as Trowenstein
• 1497: called ’round tower’ by Maximilian I
• 1862: addition of the Tudor manor

Looking at the Druso Tower, its function is immediately clear: **defense**. It is cylindrical, slender, 20.10 meters tall, with a very narrow internal diameter and thick walls. There are no windows, and the original entrance was located 8 meters above ground: you needed a ladder or a rope to get in. Another door, higher up, probably led to a wooden wall-walk. The swallowtail merlons and narrow arrow slits complete the picture. At the base, the remains of the surrounding wall tell us it was not alone: it was part of a larger fortification. That is why the tower, though small, is so fascinating: every detail has a purpose, and speaks of a time when the passage towards San Genesio was controlled here.

Next to the tower is the Chapel of Saint Oswald, also known as Oswaldkapelle, a small 13th-century sacred building, contemporary to the tower. Together they form a rather rare medieval corner. Then comes the curious chapter: in 1862, on the ruins of the castle, a Tudor-style manor house was built to a design by the civic architect Sebastian Altmann, on behalf of the owner Karl Pieschl. The result is an unexpected juxtaposition: on one side the austere medieval keep, on the other a 19th-century building with English references. I like it for this reason: it is not a neutral monument, but a place that shows the signs of different eras, with an architectural history all to be deciphered.

1. **It’s a little-known piece of history**: Druso Tower is not among Bolzano’s most famous monuments, and that makes it special. 2. **The architecture is unique**: a cylindrical keep with swallowtail merlons, so well preserved, is hard to find in the city. 3. **It reveals another side of Bolzano**: away from the crowded center, between the Fago stream and the streets of Gries, you can breathe a more intimate and authentic atmosphere. If you’re a medieval enthusiast, or simply curious, it’s worth a stop. Even just for a photo, because the tower is truly photogenic.

The moment I prefer is the **late afternoon**, when the low light illuminates the battlements and you can hear the Fago stream flowing nearby. The atmosphere becomes even more suspended, almost outside time. If you come on a clear day, it’s really worth it. In any case, being an outdoor place, you can combine it with a walk at any time. But the sunset, I assure you, has an extra charm.

In the same Gries district, you can visit **Muri-Gries Abbey**, a Benedictine monastery well worth a detour: the church is beautiful and its style is quite different from the tower. Then, if you’re up for a walk, the area along the **Talvera River** offers a green escape just steps from the city. With the Druso Tower, St. Oswald’s Chapel, and these nearby sights, it’s easy to plan a leisurely half-day of exploration.