Historic Town House of the Famous Flamm Family

The inn “Zu den Drei Flammen” is one of Sterzing’s most traditional historic buildings. The Late Gothic town house recalls the city’s prosperous mining era and is closely connected with the famous Flamm family, one of the wealthiest and most influential mining families in Sterzing during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Around 1500, the building was redesigned by the mining entrepreneurs Jörg and Andre Flamm. The Flamm family was closely linked to the silver mines of Schneeberg and gained great wealth and influence through the mining trade. Like many successful mining families of the time, the Flamms shaped not only the economy of Sterzing but also its architectural appearance.

To this day, the building still preserves the character of a wealthy Late Gothic town house. Its massive walls and historic structure reflect the economic importance of its owners. Around 1700, the merchant family Schneider transformed the street-facing side of the house in Baroque style, giving the building its later representative appearance.

Originally, the ground floor contained a merchant’s shop. Since the 16th century, however, the building has been used as an inn. For centuries, merchants, travellers and wagon drivers travelling along the Brenner route stopped here, making the inn a lively meeting place between northern and southern Europe.

The name “Zu den Drei Flammen” still recalls the Flamm family and the period when Sterzing became one of Tyrol’s most important towns through mining, trade and Alpine transport routes. Balancing the roles of merchant’s house, trading centre and inn, the building tells a story of prosperity, hospitality and the vibrant history of the old trading town of Sterzing.