A place where the
time stands still

Im Gschlössl dahoam
In the castle is now a restaurant, the tower houses the Schwazer Heimatmuseum. Where once the nobility resided and retired after the halali to celebrate and rest, there is now a damsel leads the regiment. Andrea Scheiber is a Bleiberger. This is the name of the district around Freundsberg Castle. "I was born and raised up there," says the innkeeper, whose aunt ran the restaurant in the Burgschenke with her husband for 35 years. After that, the inn was in other hands for a few years before it found its way back into Andrea Scheiber's family. For the fun-loving woman, it therefore feels like a return. A return to familiar walls that she has known and loved since childhood. "My mother worked here at the aunt's. This is also where she met my father. Right over there, where the regulars' table and the bar used to be," Andrea says, pointing to a corner in the small, cramped taproom. So the first step, the foundation stone for the existence of today's landlady was laid at the castle. A beautiful coincidence that could hardly be better imagined. The aunt who ran the Burgschenke for many years is also the godmother of Andrea Scheiber. The family home where she grew up is located directly below the castle, just a stone's throw away. "But I spent most of my childhood up here. You can get from your parents' house to the Gschlössl in two minutes via the forest path," says Andrea Scheiber, for whom Freundsberg has once again become home. The Gschlössl, as the locals affectionately call their castle, is Andrea's Dahoam, the hub of her life: "The Gschlössl is my Dahoam. This is where I feel at home, this is where I live." For the lady of the house, it is important that the castle is inhabited. Also because many historical treasures are hidden within the walls of the castle, which can be explored during a visit. "You just notice it when someone is always there," the landlady knows. I wonder how one might live as a lady of the castle in such old and historic walls? A smile spreads across Andrea Scheiber's friendly face: "Cool. It's really cool." Consequently, when the opportunity arose to lease the Burgschenke, Andrea Scheiber didn't have to think too long: "Not for a second. When I heard that the Burgschenke was becoming vacant, I immediately got my family and partner together and got the backing to apply for the succession." A task, which is not at all to be created without the backing of the family, in the area nevertheless apart from the catering trade also different tasks, as for instance the care and care of the garden, result. The lady of the castle expressly praises the good cooperation with the city: "Of course, everyone is very concerned about the landmark of the city of Schwaz. That's the way it has to be."

Gutbürgerlich und einheimisch
In culinary terms, they prefer to serve home-style dishes at the castle, which are also received with enthusiasm by international guests. "A sour gray cheese, a Brettljause, Kasspatzln or a Tyrolean Gröstl are a highlight for many of our guests. We are in Tyrol and have an obligation to present our local cuisine," says Andrea Scheiber. Accordingly, the Gschlössl also serves regional delicacies that have almost been forgotten. Thursdays are dedicated to Tyrolean Blattln with sauerkraut, and on Sundays there is oven-fresh roast pork. The Freundsberg Castle is an attraction that even established companies love to show to their foreign guests. Once a month there is a brunch with musical accompaniment on the terrace. This is a very special gem in the Gschlössl. There, along the outer wall of the tower, you can let your eyes wander over the silver city and simply take in the surroundings. The possibilities
which the Burgschenke offers in this environment are manifold. The landlady, who only returned to Freundsberg Castle in October of last year, has yet to get to grips with some of them. The Burgschenke is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., on Sundays and public holidays until 8 p.m. The restaurant is open until 8 p.m. on Sundays. If it should take longer, that is also no problem for Andrea Scheiber and her team. "The whole team feels at home up here, even though working in the castle with its many winding rooms and wide paths is not exactly easy," the landlady expresses her gratitude. With her "small, fine, sweet bar," which takes up no more than a few square meters of space, the entire castle wants to be supplied with drinks of all kinds. But this is a challenge that Andrea Scheiber is happy to take on. A very special room, which can also be used for gastronomic purposes, would almost have been underestimated here. This room is located in the tower, and where today there is resounding, boisterous laughter at celebrations, in earlier times there was nothing to laugh about. That's right, it's about the dungeon. "There in the tower, at the very bottom of the dungeon, is a large, high table that can seat 14 people comfortably," the lady of the castle tells us. To get there, countless steps want to be conquered, first up, then down, with food and drinks. A real backbreaking work and athletic challenge for the waiters.

Burg Freundsberg, the Gschlössl, the landmark of Schwaz, is in the very best hands with Andrea Scheiber and her team. "I have never been as happy as I am now. Now I have it again, my Gschlössl," Andrea Scheiber says happily, and her happiness could almost be grasped with her hands. A visit is the best way to get an idea of the passionate gastronomy and the uplifting view of the silver city. The Schwaz landmark can be reached either by car, by bus or on foot via a small, idyllic trail.