Lienz - Schloss Bruck

Schloss Bruck (724m/2,375ft; restaurant) in Lienz, built in the 13th C., with a massive keep, and enlarged in the 16th C., stands proudly on a wooded hill west of the town (1.5km/1mi from the Hauptplatz). For a time it was the seat of the Counts of Görz (Gorizia), from whom it passed to the Habsburgs in 1500. Since 1943 it has housed the East Tirol local museum (Heimatmuseum). On display are works by local artists, in particular paintings by the genre painter Franz Defregger (1835-1921) and Albin Egger-Lienz, who often chose the Tirol region and its people as the theme of his pictures.

The museum also exhibits folk and natural history collections (including minerals from the mountains of East Tirol). The two story chapel is completely covered with wall paintings (1485). The imposing tower contains flags and weapons; from the top there is a fine view over the town.