Where history meets flavor: ‘Kulinarium Burg Heinfels’ opens late April

Heinfels Castle is reaching another milestone in its revitalization: On April 29, 2026, the "Kulinarium Burg Heinfels" will open in the west wing. Following the comprehensive restoration of the entire castle complex (2016–2020), the launch of the two-story gastronomy marks the completion of the second development phase and strengthens the castle as a year-round destination.

 

Culinary Arts as Part of the Overall Experience

With the new "Kulinarium", East Tyrol's largest castle complex combines high-quality, regionally influenced cuisine with modern staging. "We want to offer a kitchen that combines the highest quality and regionality – while remaining affordable. For us, an authentic experience in this special atmosphere is decisive," says Marco Perez, Managing Director of "Kulinarium Burg Heinfels".

The offerings in the west wing are designed to be versatile: The Bistro (daytime) is ideal for museum visitors and hikers, focusing on snacks and a rotating lunch menu. In the evening, the Tavern hosts the "Emotional Dinner," creating a fusion of culinary art, history, and multimedia elements.

 

A Summer Full of Variety

The "Heinfelser Burgsommer" (Castle Summer) offers a packed program again in 2026 – from traditional folk music and modern concert formats to the tower run. A special highlight is the "Music Mile" of local groups on May 17th, where the castle complex will serve as a central soundscape for the first time.

Cordes y Butons were already guests at the castle in 2023; now they return with their new program "perig." A musical highlight of the Heinfelser Burgsommer is Cobario from Vienna.

 

The Museum Remains the Heart – New Offerings from 2026

Across approximately half a hectare of castle grounds, the museum tells 800 years of history. New additions for 2026 include an atmospheric shadow play in the south wing and, starting in summer, a birds of prey show that combines nature and history against an impressive backdrop.

 

 

Go back

BLOG

Archiv

On 15 July 2020 we opened Heinfels Castle. In this short and very challenging season, we were nevertheless able to welcome 5508 visitors in 659 guided tours until October 26 due to the worldwide pandemic with many travel restrictions!

On Wednesday, July 15, we started the first summer season with the museum, shop and castle tavern. The preparations for this were already in full swing for some time.

The current situation also has Heinfels Castle firmly under control. Construction work has resumed after the obligatory break and we are continuing to work flat out to complete the museum.

Three years ago the elaborate work on the largest profane restoration project in Tyrol began. All the roofs of the castle, with the exception of the tower from 1992, have now been newly roofed and the access paths inside the complex have already been paved. The opening of the museum is planned for early summer 2020

From May 2018 to the end of October 2019, more than 2800 visitors gained insights into one of the most exciting construction sites in the region.

It was a special day for the "Queen of the Puster Valley": On the 12th of July the guardian angel bell was cast in the bell foundry Grassmayr in Innsbruck. This is a continuation of the old tradition of bells in the castle.

During the restoration work, a special red chalk drawing from the early 16th century was uncovered. But this is not the only discovery!

Heinfels Castle’s main redevelopment should be complete and open once again to the general public within five years. An ambitious goal if you were to take a peek inside the imposing castle, as the last centuries haven’t been kind to the halls and chambers, leaving them to dilapidate.

On 16 November 2015, the concept regarding the future use of Heinfels Castle was presented to the district councils of the Tyrolean Oberland. If everything goes according o plan, the main redevelopment can take place during summer 2016.

The Südtiroler Burgeninstitut (the South Tyrolean Castle Institute) invited Management of the Museumsverein and the Steering Group to visit a number of castles in and around South Tyrol on 14 July 2015.

On 2 June 2015, the members of the ‘New Uses’ and ‘Redevelopment and Maintenance’ groups were met by gorgeous weather as they set out to visit the border fortress of Altfinstermünz in Nauders at the foot of the Finstermünzpass.