Wolkenstein Castle

At the entrance to the beautiful Vallelunga near Selva Gardena, lies the ancestral castle of the Tyrolean noble family of Wolkenstein. It is in an unusual location at an altitude of over 1,600 metres, perched high on the Stevia rock face, a 2,555-metre-high mountain in the Puez Group in the Dolomites. The rock overhang also serves as its roof.

Its location suggests that it was used to guard the crossing over the Passo Gardena into the Val Badia. The castle dates back to the 13th century. After an initial period of decay, it came into the possession of Randolt von Villandro, an ancestor of the Wolkenstein noble family, to which the famous minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein also belonged.

The poet and composer led an adventurous life and is said to have often resided at the castle on the Stevia rock face during the summer months. In the 15th century, the Venetians stormed the castle. It was rebuilt in the 16th century before being left to fall into ruin.

Today, the south-facing wall and the castle forecourt are still preserved and can be visited during the summer months. A steep path leads up to Wolkenstein castle ruins, starting at the Carabinieri training centre in Val Lunga.