Forte Castle/Trostburg lies in Val Gardena, above the town of Waidbruck. Its german name comes from the Trostburgs, the family that ordered its construction in the XII century in order to control the Gardena and the Isarco Valleys. Originally the castle was intended as a ministerial castle and during the centuries was modified many times, starting from the extension of its wings in the XIV and XV centuries wanted by the counts of Wolkenstein, owners of the castle from 1385 to 1967. Since 1967, the castle is owned by the Südtiroler Burgeninstitut Association.
The castle as it is nowadays is a typical example of XVI century fortified residence enriched with outside Renaissance decorations. There are some rooms with original furnishings.
The Knights room with the decorated ceiling is certainly worth visiting, as well as the gothic stube, the chapel and the winepress, the biggest in South Tyrol.
Furthermore the different exhibition rooms of the castle and the Wolkenstein family tree are very suggestive. It is also possible to visit the permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and works of Oswald von Wolkenstein, a much-travelled famous late-Medieval poet, who spent part of his life there.
Opening times
The doors of castel Forte are open for you from Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter) until the end of October. Visits are only possible with a guide at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., in July and August guided tours also at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday is the day of rest.
Guided tour of the castle through the interior furnished rooms
Entry fees (incl. guided visit)
8.00 € adults
6.00 € students, retired people (over 65 years), groups
5.00 € 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
