When you think of the Puster Valley, enchanting Alpine landscapes immediately come to mind, with lush green meadows and the Dolomites rising majestically in the background.
Yet this valley also has a past rich in traditions, battles, and knights; we are reminded of this by the numerous castles which, built in medieval times, have now become important cultural centers and valuable guardians of Tyrolean traditions.
On today’s journey, we will get to know three of them: Castle San Martino in Badia, Monguelfo Castle, and Heinfels Castle. What do they have in common? Simple: all three will host a Festival concert during the upcoming edition!
The CASTLE OF SAN MARTINO, also known by its Ladin name CIASTEL DE TOR, is located at the entrance of the VAL BADIA, near San Vigilio di Marebbe. Its construction dates back to the 13th century and underwent various renovations until reaching its current appearance, which dates back to 1600.
In 2001, it underwent significant renovation and inside was established the MUSEUM OF LADIN HISTORY AND TRADITIONS, an extraordinary and unique exhibition that offers information about the history, language, and culture typical of the Ladin people.
The MONGUELFO CASTLE stands on a hill at the entrance of the CASIES VALLEY, just a few minutes away from the towns of Monguelfo and Tesido, and is the oldest fortified complex in the Puster Valley.
It was built in 1200 by the Counts of Welsperg (the name from which the locality Welsberg derives, meaning ‘Mountain of the Guelphs’, Monguelfo) and for centuries was the seat of this extremely powerful family.
Until 1600, it underwent several renovations until, in 1765, a fire severely damaged it; despite subsequent restorations, since then the castle, which still remains property of the Counts of Welsperg today, has never been inhabited again.
Currently, it serves as a venue for exhibitions and concerts, which take place primarily during the summer.
The CASTLE OF HEINFELS stands in a strategic position near Sillian, on the Austrian side of the Puster Valley. Legend has it that it was built in the 5th century by the Huns; in reality, the first historical evidence realistically dates it back to 1200, when it is mentioned in multiple documents.
The history of Heinfels Castle is a curious one; after a glorious past, which saw it belong first to the Counts of Gorizia, then to the Habsburg Emperors, and finally to the Bishopric of Brixen, from the mid-1900s it experienced a slow decline, passing from one owner to another, until its purchase in 2005 by the South Tyrolean Loacker family: does this name ring a bell? Yes, they’re the ones behind the famous cookies, who have built and expanded their most important headquarters below the castle.
Thanks to this family’s investments, the castle has been renovated, and since summer 2020 it has also been used as a museum.
And if, in addition to taking a tour, you would like to attend a Festival concert, here are the dates for the upcoming edition:
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025
10:30 AM Castle of San Martino
11:00 AM Monguelfo Castle
1:00 PM Heinfels Castle
