A Witness to Trade and Transit along the Brenner Route

The Lurx Customs House is one of the oldest and most historically significant secular buildings in Sterzing. It recalls the period when the town gained prosperity and importance through trade and customs duties collected along the Brenner route. For centuries, goods moving between northern and southern Europe were inspected and taxed here.

As early as 1288, the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg is recorded as the owner of the customs station. Shortly after 1400, however, the bishopric renounced the road toll at Lurx in favour of the Tyrolean sovereigns. In this way, control over one of Tyrol’s most important customs stations passed into the hands of the regional rulers.

The location of the customs house was of great strategic importance. Sterzing stood along one of Europe’s major trade routes: merchants, wagons and travellers crossing the Brenner Pass all had to pass through this point. Goods such as salt, wine, textiles, metals and spices were inspected and taxed here. Customs duties represented an important source of income for the rulers and helped transform Sterzing into a major commercial and administrative centre of Tyrol.

Until the 18th century, the customs station remained one of the most important in Tyrol. The origins of the present building date back to the 14th century, while major extensions were added in 1604. Its solid construction still reflects its former role as a place of administration and control.

The Lurx Customs House therefore tells the story of an era in which Alpine trade shaped everyday life in Sterzing. Merchants from Germany, Italy and many other regions met here; goods were inspected and taxed, while news and ideas travelled across Europe. In this way, Sterzing became an important link between northern and southern Europe.

Today, the Lurx Customs House remains one of Sterzing’s most important historic buildings and a reminder of the city’s long-standing economic importance along the Brenner route.