Castel Forte, or Castel Trostburg, rises above Ponte Gardena, at the entrance to Val Gardena. The castle, built at the end of the 12th century and expanded during the 16th century, is one of the most imposing fortresses in South Tyrol. Inside its halls, visitors can admire splendid rooms with precious furnishings and, in the tower, one of the largest wine presses in the region.
First mentioned in 1173, the German name of Castel Forte derives from the Trostburg Family, who ordered its construction to control the junction between Val Gardena and Val d’Isarco. The fortress was built as a ministerial castle in the 12th century and underwent numerous changes over the centuries, starting with the expansion of its spaces in the 14th and 15th centuries by the Counts of Wolkenstein, its owners from 1385 to 1967. Since 1967, it has been owned by the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut.
Castel Forte, as we see it today, is a typical example of a fortified 16th‑century residence with Renaissance-style exterior decorations. The rooms contain original furniture. Highlights include the Knights’ Hall with its coffered ceiling, the Gothic Stube, the chapel, and the impressive wine press, one of the largest in South Tyrol, located in the tower.
Also particularly fascinating are the rooms hosting the exhibition “Castles – Buildings of History”, which, through 86 scale models, illustrates the development of fortification art in South Tyrol. Visitors can also explore the permanent exhibition dedicated to Oswald von Wolkenstein, a late medieval poet who lived at Castel Forte.
Opening times
Visits to the inner area of Trostburg are only possible at the following times:
From Maundy Thursday to the end of June:
11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m
July and August:
11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m
From September to October 31st:
11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m
Monday: closed
Guided tour of the castle through the interior furnished rooms
Entry fees (incl. guided visit)
8.00 € adults
7.00 € students, retired people (over 65 years), groups
6.00 € children (6-14 years)
3.50 € group of children
How to get to Trostburg
Trostburg Castle is located at the village of Waidbruck, between Bozen (23 km) and Klausen (6 km) on the Brenner route A22, which runs through the Lower Eisack Valley. Trostburg sits next to the entry to the Gröden Valley (Val Gardena) and can be most easily reached from the village center of Waidbuck (only by feet - road closed to vehicles).
- From the Oswald-von-Wolkenstein Square, there is the old Trostburg path. After a few meters of paved road, the medieval path goes through deciduous woods to reach the castle. Although the ascent is somewhat steep, the little hike to Trostburg only takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- A second, paved road leading from the village center up to Trostburg is more comfortable than the first one, but takes longer (around 30 min). It begins immediately after the Waidbruck cemetery. This road is closed to vehicles after the first 500 meters.
For further information
Forte Castle/Trostburg
via Burgfrieden, 22
Ponte Gardena
Tel. +39 0471 654401
