Castle Ruine of Stetteneck

The castle of Knight Gebhard von Stetteneck

Once the legendary Stetteneck Castle towered high above on Monte Balest but then, in medieval times, it fell down the deep gorge of the Rio Pincan. Since then it has never been seen again… This is the legend of the Stetteneck Castle, whose ruins have been discovered in summer 2000 on the much lower Pinkan hills in Val d’Anna Valley. During trial excavations the remainders of a wall were found and since then the castle ruin of Stetteneck has been excavated. In the course of the excavations, large parts of the castle tower, the circular wall and the gate with a Roman circular arch have been exposed.

The castle dates back to the 13th century and belonged to the noble family of Stetteneck. Knight Gebhard von Stetteneck was the judge of Gudon and personal servant of the Bishop of Bressanone. First written documents mentioning the knight date back to the year 1256. The castle was thus built before 1256, boasted a length of 50 metres and was surrounded by a 60 metres long and 1.8 m large circular wall.

During the excavations, numerous tools were found, such as an arrow head of a crossbow, a gaming piece, pieces of broken glass which belonged to glasses and oil lamps, flint tools, broken clay fragments and lots of animal bones. The excavation site is opened to the public in summer. Guided tours are organised, led by the excavation director and discoverer of the ruin Mr Herwig Prinoth. For registering and further information please ask the tourism board of Ortisei.