Finstermünz (Altfinstermünz) Fortress

Finstermünz blocked the old valley road over the Reschen Pass, which was probably the Roman Via Claudia Augusta, the shortest connection between the Etsch Valley and Bavaria. Several documentary mentions of the hermitage in the 12th century are confirmed. A castrum Luech in Vinsterminze is first documented in 1263.

With increasing trade traffic, it became one of the most important customs posts in the country under Count Meinhard II of Tyrol. His successor commissioned a resident of Nauders in 1300 to maintain the road. When armed conflicts with the Engadiners arose in the 15th century, Duke Sigmund the Rich in Coin had the bridge in Finstermünz fortified.

In 1473, Sigmundseck was built to protect the Inn crossing, and the customs post was moved there. Maximilian I had the complex expanded at the beginning of the 16th century. Due to the strategic importance of the barrier, its maintenance and tolls were never granted as a fief but initially only to princely administrators. However, Dr. Jakob Frankfurter received Finstermünz as a pledged possession in 1523. Later, administrators were appointed again. With the customs reform of 1779, Finstermünz lost its importance as the customs office was moved to Martinsbruck. Due to the impending threat of war from France, the fortifications were repaired again. Nevertheless, the hermitage was sold to Josef Ignaz Purtscher in 1784, though without the bridge tower and Sigmundseck.

In 1789, it came into peasant ownership. In 1799, heavy fighting with the French took place here. When the new Reschen Pass road high above Finstermünz was completed in 1854, the old valley barrier had lost all significance. In the 1870s, the bridge was swept away by floods. In 1948/49, the tower and bridge were restored by the Provincial Monuments Office. Today, Finstermünz belongs to the Republic of Austria.