Guided Tours of Schloss Kastelbell

A medieval manor above the Adige

Schloss Kastelbell (in German Schloss Kastelbell) stands on an imposing rocky spur on the left bank of the Adige, where the river exits the Latschander gorge, in the municipality of Castelbello-Ciardes/Kastelbell-Tschars, in Val Venosta. First mentioned in a document from 1238, the castle likely has even older origins and was built by the Lords of Montalban. Over the centuries, it passed to territorial princes and, starting from the 14th century, served as a courthouse.

History and restoration

In 1531, the manor was pledged to the Hendl family, who carried out the expansions and modifications that give the castle much of its current form. However, two devastating fires in 1813 and 1824 destroyed a large part of the building, condemning the complex to a long period of decay. In 1956, the Italian State acquired the property: extensive restoration work, directed by the Superintendency, began in the 1960s and was completed in 1995. Today, the castle is owned by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and managed by the Kuratorium Schloss Kastelbell.

Guided tours

During the summer, the castle can only be visited with a guide: the Schlossführungen are conducted by a staff member specializing in art history, who leads visitors through the manor's historic rooms. The tour illustrates the architecture of the complex, the stories of the families who lived there, and the castle's role along the ancient alpine transit route.

• Days: Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays)
• Set times: 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00
• Tickets: 8.00 euros for adults, free for children under 14
• Notes: tours are only possible with a guide; dogs are not allowed

The Via Claudia Augusta exhibition

Inside the castle, there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Via Claudia Augusta, the ancient Roman road that connected the Po Valley to the Danube area by crossing the Alps. The Kuratorium also organizes temporary spring and autumn exhibitions, as well as concerts and cultural events that bring the manor's historic halls to life.

An experience in Val Venosta

A visit to Schloss Kastelbell is one of the most appreciated cultural experiences in lower Val Venosta and can easily be integrated into an itinerary among orchards, irrigation channel paths (Waalwege), and other manors in the area. Its panoramic position on the rocky spur and the backdrop of South Tyrol make the visit suitable for families as well.