Castelbello-Ciardes

In the picturesque Vinschgau you will find the municipality of Castelbello-Ciardes / Kastebell-Tschars. It is located at 587 meters above sea level between the popular spa town of Merano and the Reschen Pass. The municipality, also called Castebello-Ciardes, includes not only the two main towns of Kastebell and Tschars, but also several smaller hamlets located on both sides of the valley. These include: Marein, Gaisaun, Latschnig, Freiberg, Trumsberg, Tomberg and Juval. A total of 2500 people have settled here. Every year, more and more tourists discover the magic of the beautiful surroundings for themselves.

Nature plays the leading role in Kastebell-Tschars. The landscape is largely untouched and original. In spring and autumn, it shines in a special light. The area, known for its fruit cultivation, resembles a white carpet of blossoms in the first warm months of the year. From late summer, the first fruits are ready for harvest, and from then on you can enjoy fresh apples and, a little later, tasty chestnuts.

As you might guess, not only nature, but also enjoyment is at the center of Kastebell-Tschars and its surroundings. Numerous specialties await hungry vacationers, lovingly prepared by the region's hosts. After a long day spent in outdoor activities, this kind of culinary refreshment is just right.

Tip: Wine cultivation has been successfully practiced in Vinschgau for years, so you should treat yourself to a good glass of wine with your meal. The Vernatsch, Blau-Weißburgunder, and Chardonnay are particularly popular.

One thing immediately catches the eye here: Kastebell-Tschars is rich in beautiful castles and historic ruins. On the left bank of the Adige River lies Castle Kastebell, high up on a stately rock outcrop. The castle was first mentioned in 1238 and has been renovated, fortified, but also partially destroyed by fires over the years. Today it can be visited from April to October, and seasonal art exhibitions as well as the permanent exhibition "Via Claudia Augusta" are housed inside the stately walls.

On Juval Castle, the well-known extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner established a museum of his "Messner Mountain Museums" series, which is famous far beyond the borders of South Tyrol. Hardly anyone knows the world of mountains as well as he does and therefore he wants to share this fascination with others. Visitors to Juval Castle can see not only the Tibetika collection, beautiful pictures of impressive mountains, and a collection of masks, but also a Tantra room and an expedition cellar. In addition, you can stroll through the castle courtyards, visit the house chapel, or see the Hall of 1000 Pleasures.

Active holidaymakers in Vinschgau should definitely include a so-called "Waalwanderung" in their daily program. Waalen are centuries-old irrigation systems that transport glacier water into the dry valley area. On the maintenance paths that run along the Waalen, you can still enjoy beautiful walks and hikes. The longest path leads over 10 kilometers from the Schnalstal to Kastebell. As it is not particularly difficult in terms of difficulty, it is especially suitable for families with young children or less trained vacationers.