Personalities from the region

Brunhilde Rossi Agostini

The Keeper of History

I sit in the "Pflegerstube" of Welsperg Castle, surrounded by the creaking of old wooden beams and the soothing warmth of the fireplace. It feels as though the past centuries are still present within these walls. This room once belonged to the "Pfleger", the castle’s administrator, often the only one who could read and write, overseeing the daily operations of the estate. But today, I am not speaking with a caretaker of the past—I am here with Brunhilde Rossi Agostini, the woman who has shaped the castle into what it is today.

Brunhilde tells me about her childhood, playing in the castle with the children of the last tenant family. "It was our adventure land," she says with a smile. The most exciting place was the tower, which seemed like a forbidden treasure. It was always locked, making it even more intriguing. "But somehow, we always managed to sneak in and climb all the way to the top." As I listen, I can vividly imagine what the castle must have been like back then—abandoned, a little run-down, yet full of secrets.

Brunhilde Rossi on the wooden bridge leading to Welsperg Castle

Portrait of Brunhilde Rossi resting her chin on her hands

Welsperg Castle with its historic wooden bridge in Welsberg

The Beginning of a New Chapter

When the last tenant family moved out, a new chapter began for Brunhilde. She tells me that even as a child, she felt that "the castle should become a real castle again." So, together with the count and some local residents, she worked to restore it and open it to the public. But the beginning was far from glamorous: dusty walls, empty rooms, and an overwhelming amount of work. "We had to get organized, set priorities, figure out what was feasible and where to start," she recalls with a laugh. "It was hard work, all while balancing a job, a family, and raising children. Finding time for this responsibility was a challenge, because the castle has always carried a great deal of responsibility with it."

But it was worth it. Today, Welsperg Castle shines once more. Alongside regular tours, it hosts carefully curated concerts and art exhibitions. "I always wanted to study art," Brunhilde confesses, "but life took a different turn. So instead, I brought art here, to the castle."

Brunhilde Rossi smiling as she looks through documents inside Welsperg Castle

Arched window with dried flowers and historic utensils inside Welsperg Castle

Genius Loci – The spirit of the place

As I listen, I begin to realise that the castle is much more than just a historic building. It's alive. Kept alive by the dedication of people like Brunhilde, who put their heart and soul into caring for it. But there's also a more mysterious side to the castle, one that particularly captures my imagination.

Brunhilde tells me about a late afternoon in November when she was alone in the castle, collecting a document from the archives. "Suddenly, I heard desperate screams – the cries of a young man, seemingly coming from outside. I went to the entrance gate and opened it, but there was nobody there. Absolutely nobody." A shiver runs down my spine as she continues: "The most unsettling thing wasn't the screaming itself, but the feeling that whatever the danger was, it was outside, not here in the castle. In here, I felt safe then, and I still feel safe today." It's not an easy feeling to understand, especially when you consider the absolute silence within these ancient walls. It takes some getting used to.

I'm fascinated by Brunhilde's connection to this place and by the secrets hidden within its old walls. Sometimes there are unexplained footsteps, or windows slam shut when there's not the slightest draught. "Wood absorbs everything and then releases it again," she says mysteriously. "Not every sound can be explained." Whether it's ghosts or simply the pine marten running through the spaces above the ceilings remains a mystery. But whatever the explanation, Brunhilde never finds it frightening.

Looking to the Future

As the sun sets behind the mountains, casting a golden glow over the castle, Brunhilde shares her vision for the future. She dreams of opening the tower—the one she explored in secret as a child—to the public. "Climbing those 40 meters and taking in the view from the top is an incredible feeling," she says with excitement. Just imagining it is enough to captivate me.

As I leave the castle, her stories linger in my mind—her childhood adventures, the eerie encounters, and her vision for the future. I can’t wait to return and experience the magic of this medieval treasure once again.

Back to the overview

Regional Personalities

The Trail Pioneer

Walter Felderer

Details