Between Selva Gardena and Santa Cristina, there is Gardena Castle, once upon a time summer residence and hunting castle.
On the left side of the Rio Gardena, between Selva Gardena and Santa Cristina, there is the Renaissance building of Castel Gardena, surrounded by numerous fish ponds that were name-giving for the castle (the German name “Fischburg” means “Fishing Castle”). It was constructed between 1622 and 1641 by Engelhard Dietrich von Wolkenstein-Trostburg as summer residence and hunting castle, even if the monumental construction conveys Mediaeval grandeur.

Actually, the inventory of the castle reveals that the castle contains more hunting weapons than weapons of war. Moreover appliances for fishing were found - not far to seek, as there are the nearby fishing ponds. At the end of the 18th century, the castle started deteriorating, in 1826 parts of the inventory were sold by public sale. In the mid 19th century, Leopold Earl of Wolkenstein-Trostburg gave the castle to the municipality of Santa Cristina. In those days, a retirement home or poorhouse was meant to be established in the castle.

However, in 1926, it was sold to Baron Carlo Franchetti from Venice, who had the castle restored inside and outside and furnished it with chattels of South Tyrol and the Val Gardena. Still today the castle is owned by the Venetian family and can not be visited.

https://www.valgardena-groeden.com

Gardena Castle

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Like an eyrie, the Mediaeval castle named after the family of Oswald von Wolkenstein, holds on tight to the Stevia rockface.
In the Vallunga, there is the family seat of the Tyrolean noble family Wolkenstein-Trostburg, located in a rather unusual position at more than 1,600 m of altitude. It can be seen high up in the Stevia rockface, a 2,555 m asl high mountain of the Puez Group in the Dolomites. The castle’s position reveals that it was constructed to monitor the transition area from the Val Gardena to the Val Badia.

The castle dates back to the 13th century. After initial deterioration, it passed into the hands of Randolt von Villanders, an ancestor of the noble Wolkenstein family, ancestors of the famous minestrel Oswald von Wolkenstein. The lyric poet and composer had an adventuresome life and often resided in Wolkenstein Castle on the Stevia rockface.

In the 15th century, the castle was stormed by the Venetians, in the 16th century it was rebuilt, before it finally started deteriorating. Still preserved today is the wall directed to the south as well as the forecourt of the castle.

https://www.valgardena-groeden.com

Wolkenstein Castle

Castel Colz is a Renaissance castle located in the center of the small village of La Villa, in the Bolzano municipality of Badia. The first traces of the building date back to 1536, when Hans von Rubatsch had permission from Emperor Ferdinand I to build a noble residence. The construction, in Gothic style, carried out on a dolomite rock spur, ended within a year or so. The castle consists of four towers, two of which are round and two other rectangular. Later the building was modified by the Colz, whose name it still retains, and then by the Winklers and then again by the Mayerhofers.

The name of Castel Colz is also linked to that of Francesco Guglielmo Brack (in Ladin "Gran Bracùn"), a knight really existed, even if his deeds are often linked to mere legends of cruelty in Val Badia.

Castel Colz was left in ruins around 1850, but in 1988 it was restored to be used as a luxury grand hotel. In 2010, the structure closed the business to return to being a private residence.

https://www.histouring.com

Castel Colz 

Castel Sommo (in tedesco Schloss Summersberg) è un castello medievale che si trova nella frazione di Gudon del comune di Chiusa in Alto Adige.
Cenni storici
Il primo semplice nucleo del castello fu costruito nel 1202 dai signori di Sommersberg. Nella prima metà del XIV secolo la famiglia si trasferì però ad Albes, vicino a Bressanone. Nel 1329 il maniero venne quindi concesso a Giorgio di Villandro che lo ristrutturò trasformandolo in una residenza più adeguata.

Nel XV secolo il castello fu ampliato e nel XVI secolo raggiunse l'aspetto attuale.

All'estinzione dei signori di Gudon, il castello passò ai Trautson, poi ai Wolkenstein e infine, nella seconda metà del XIX secolo, allo storico di Innsbruck Ignaz von Zingerle, i cui discendenti lo possiedono tuttora.

La roccia sulla quale sorge il castello non è molto stabile tanto che negli anni '50 una sezione di 20 metri delle mura franò nel sottostante rio Funes.

Struttura
Nel cortile del castello è posto un gruppo ligneo del XV secolo della scuola brissinese che rappresenta la crocifissione di Cristo.

Il palazzo residenziale sorge accanto al mastio rotondo, peculiarità del castello. Risale al XV secolo ed è caratterizzato da trifore, erker e scale di legno. All'interno la sala di mezzo è circondata da varie altre stanze tra cui la cosiddetta "Bauernstube" con un soffitto a travi di legno.

Essendo una dimora privata non è visitabile.

Castel Sommo

Castel Rovereto is situated on the top of a precipitous rocky promontory above the gorge of the Rio Nero in the hamlet of Sant’Osvaldo. It is located adjacent to the Pflegerhof farm, known in South Tyrol for its organically grown spices and herbs. Only few details are known regarding the history of the castle. Castel Rovereto has been mentioned for the first time in the 12th century, associated with the Lords of Aichach. After the last members of this family died after fierce quarrels with the Lords of Castelrotto, in 1741 the castle passed on in the hands of the Lords of Castelrotto. The reason for decay is, however, still unknown. Already in 1618 the historian Max Sittich von Wolkenstein reported from the “Ruin of Castel Rovereto”.

The complex is relatively small and only remains of the access side and the open tower are left. What is characteristic are its dovetail crenels, which are not typical for the architectural style of the Valle Isarco. Today inside the ruin there is a playground with slide and swing, accessible the whole year round.

https://www.seiser-alm.it

Castel Rovereto

The impressive Castel Trostburg at Ponte Gardena in the Valle Isarco valley hosts the South Tyrolean Castles Museum.
Castel Trostburg or Castel Forte - “Trostburg” in German -, one of the most splendid castles of South Tyrol, is located on a natural rocky promontory above Ponte Gardena (Waidbruck). The history of the castle dates back to the 12th century - it was mentioned for the first time in 1173 as place of residence of a certain “Cunrat de Trosperch” (Konrad of Trostberg), descending from the Lords of Castelrotto. In 1290, the castle was passed on from the Lords of Velturno to the Lords of Tyrol, who put the castle in pawn. For about 600 years the castle remained in possession of the Earls of Wolkenstein-Trostburg, one of the main nobilities of Tyrol. In those times, the Mediaeval composer and poet Oswald von Wolkenstein grew up here (1377 - 1445).

Between the 14th and the 16th century, the castle was fundamentally enlarged and once more in the 17th century, under Engelhard Dietrich of the nobility Wolkenstein-Trostburg. In 1981, the castle was passed on into the hands of the South Tyrolean Castle Institute and thus was saved from decay. This institution strives for maintaining the special character of the castle and for making it available for public. Since 2005, Castel Trostburg has been hosting the South Tyrolean Castles Museum. Still today it is in a good state thanks to restoration and maintenance works.

There are Roman archways and arched windows, majestic panels and rooms dating back to the 16th and 17th century as well as mouldings of Renaissance in the interior of Castel Trostburg. Worth to be visited are especially the Gothic Stube with panels and richly decorated beam ceiling as well as the library, which is one of the most famous of its day. And how to reach Castel Trostburg? It is accessible only by foot. The Trostburg Path leads from Ponte Gardena (parking space) along a medieval paved path in a 15-minute walk to the castle. The Burgfrieden Path, however, is less steep but longer (30 minutes). Taxi Torggler in Barbiano offers also a shuttle service to the castle complex (phone: +39 0471 650004).

Castel Trostburg

La torre del Capitano (in tedesco Burghauptmannsturm) è quanto resta di castel Branzoll (ted. Burg Branzoll), costruzione fortificata duecentesca a Chiusa in Alto Adige.

Costruita dai signori di Sabiona, passò poi (1309) ai vescovi di Bressanone, che vi posero (nel XIV secolo) la sede del loro capitano (da cui l'appellativo).

Il castello, così come lo si vede oggi, è frutto di una libera ricostruzione avvenuta tra la fine del XIX secolo e il 1930. Di originale resta appunto soltanto la torre, l'unica parte della costruzione ad aver resistito al disastroso incendio del 1671, cui seguirono due secoli di pressoché totale abbandono.

Torre del Capitano

Il castello di Velturno (in tedesco Schloss Velthurns) è un castello che si trova nel paese di Velturno (Feldthurns), sopra a Bressanone, nella valle Isarco altoatesina.
enni storici
Il castello fu eretto tra il 1577 e il 1587 con uno stile tardo rinascimentale dal vescovo Johann Thomas von Spaur, fu adibito lungo la storia, soprattutto come residenza estiva dei principi vescovi di Bressanone.

Nel 1978 la provincia autonoma di Bolzano ha acquistato il castello, e lo ha completamente restaurato.

Da visitare
Da marzo a fine novembre, visite guidate:

Affreschi e le opere di intarsio nel legno
Stanza dei principi (Fürstenzimmer) con i rivestimenti pregiati
Stufa ottagonale con stemmi familiari e scene dell'Antico e Nuovo Testamento 

Castello di Velturno

Between legend and reality it is said that here in castel Friedburg has stayed, among others, also the German writer Wolfgang Goethe, passing through Colma during his "Journey to Italy". It is true that, over the centuries, between the two gates of this ancient customs, erected in 1482 at the intersection of the Emperor's street and the Kunter road and active as such until 1829, transits sovereigns, dukes, popes, diplomats and personalities of every kind and of all Europe.

Today, arriving in Colma, about ten kilometers north-east of Bolzano, one can not but notice this original turreted building, with a white and red checkered façade painted by a crown of blackbirds.

After several changes of ownership, Schloss Friedburg now belongs to Adolf Gafriller who, while retaining the original architectural structures, has created a hotel.

The rooms are simple and simply furnished. The common rooms, on the other hand, are much more characteristic, with wood paneling, tables, chairs, antique inlaid dresser and period curiosities, such as a solid wood sled dating back to the nineteenth century. As in most of the castles and noble residences, on the first floor, next to the two larger rooms, there is a small family chapel, embellished by fifteenth century and still consecrated pictorial decorations.

Some common areas are available to host art exhibitions, meetings and conferences as well as wedding receptions and gala dinners, which can count on a quality restaurant service.

The castle also has a restaurant that combines the food and wine tradition of the area with the more typically Mediterranean, having a rustic and informal atmosphere where pizza is also served, cooked in a wood oven.

https://www.histouring.com

Castel Friedburg

The antique Badia Castle known as Ćiastel de Tor is located in San Martino in Badia and houses the Museum Ladin.
In 1230, a three-storey residential tower was built by the attendants of the Bishops of Bressanone in the village of San Martino di Badia (St. Martin in Thurn). It was first documented under the name “Turris in Geder” in 1290. In this context the Lords of Rodank-Schöneck were feuds of the building until 1331. In the years to follow, the residential tower was amplified by a crenelated circular wall and a great hall. Also the tower was modified and two storeys were added and converted into a granary. Also in 1500 there were renovations. The Roman great hall was enlarged and two round towers were added to the circular wall.

When the bishops lost reign of the Court of Thurn and Ćiastel de Tor - “Schloss Thurn” in German - represented the centre of this complex, farmers purchased the castle. Until the castle has been rearranged it has been inhabited by their descendants. Now Ćiastel de Tor houses a museum.

Since 2001, Ćiastel de Tor in San Martino in Badia is venue for the so-called Museum Ladin, the Ladin Museum. The exhibited items and documents provide an insight into the history, culture, legends and handicraft of the Ladin speaking Dolomite valleys. Moreover several events such as exhibitions and concerts take place in the inner courtyard. And how to reach Ćiastel de Tor? A street leads on the hill. On the right side of the street there’s a covered carpark as well as open parking lots, on the left side there’s the castle.

https://www.suedtirolerland.it

Castel Tor

Prösels Castle (German: Schloss Prösels; Italian: Castello di Presule) is a castle in the Gothic style which stands on the high plain below the Schlern mountain, in South Tyrol. Prösels is a location within the municipal boundaries of the commune of Völs am Schlern (Fiè allo Sciliar).
History
The castle was first named in a document from 1279, as castrum Praesile and it is believed that the lords of Völs, feudatories of the Bishopric of Brixen, had built the castle here by 1200. Today the central palace with a Romanesque archway are surviving parts of this first fortress.

In Italian it is sometimes called Castel Colonna, reflecting the fact that around the time of Leonhard II the Völs (Fiè) family started to add the Colonna family name to their own. The reason for this is unclear, although a number of hypotheses have been advanced. According to some the family originated as a branch of the Colonnas who came to Tyrol in the twelfth century; others believe that Leonhard II, fighting alongside Marcantonio Colonna (1535–1584) at the Battle of Lepanto, was affirming his family’s origins in the Colonnas of Tusculum. A third version speculates that Marcantonio adopted Leonhard in order to enable the latter to display his membership of the noble Roman dynasty. Most probably, perhaps, Leonhard II simply requested and obtained the right to add the name Colonna to his own.

The Gothic castle of today was built by Leonhard of Völs (born 1458). He was the administrator of the salt mines of Hall in Tirol, a highly profitable position, furthermore he was married three times to wealthy noblewomen, which enabled him to spend extravagantly on the expansion of his castle. In 1498 Leonhard, thanks to his friendship with the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and Archduke of Austria, became governor of the County of Tyrol. Leonhard showed his gratitude by including the emperor on one of the frescoes in the newly built arcade of his castle.

During the Peasants' War of 1525 the castle was briefly occupied by the revolting subservient farmers, who burnt all the documents in the vain hope of destroying all proof of their debts and tithes. The uprising was squashed and six leaders executed. Leonhard of Völs also instigated the burning of nine local woman for witchcraft. To deflect blame placed on him by his subjects for a high infant mortality rate, Leonhard found nine women, had them tortured and after they confessed burnt at the stake for witchcraft. Most probably the high infant mortality was due to the farmers being starved and very poor owing to Leonhard's very high taxes. The woman confessed that they had "stolen the babies and ridden on their brooms to the Schlern where they had eaten the babies together with the devil." The many local legends about the so-called Schlernhexen (Schlern witches) date back to this time.

The castle remained in the hands of the family until its last member, Felix, Freiherr von Völs, died childless in 1810. For the next 50 years the castle stood empty and nearly fell into ruins. Between 1860 and 1978 the castle changed hands no fewer than 14 times, suffering periods of decay followed by attempted restoration before finally being abandoned to its fate. However, in 1981 the Kuratorium Schloss Prösels (Prösels Castle Curatorship) was formed to restore the building; the work was completed the following year.