Photo: Sir Boris, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Castle
Festenstein Castle
Castle in Eppan, South Tyrol
At a glance
- Type
- Castle
- Protection
- Cultural heritage monument in South Tyrol
- Coordinates
- 46°30′43″ N, 11°13′08″ E
History and description
Festenstein Castle (also Burg Festenstein, Ruine Festenstein, Schloss Festenstein, Castelforte, and Castel Forte) is a 13th-century castle ruin, located above Andrian in South Tyrol, in northern Italy. It is perched on a rocky outcrop called the Gaider Schlucht, and can only be reached via a steep mountain climb. The castle was built around the mid-13th century, and was used as a stronghold by the many warlords of the area. It was saved from further deterioration in 2008.
History
The exact date Festenstein castle was built is not known. It is mentioned in written documents in the mid-13th century, and had already been built by the time the Counts of Eppan took possession. They used it as a stronghold and to collect taxes from nearby farms. The castle was damaged at some point, and repairs began in 1383, when it became the property of the Lords of Villanders. The castle changed hands many times, belonging to the Sparrenberger family in the 15th century, and the Lords Lanser di Appiano between 1654 and 1818. In 2008, Count Meinhard Khuen von Belasi purchased the ruins, and with the South Tyrolean Office for Cultural Heritage, restoration was begun to protect the castle from further deterioration.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Festenstein Castle».
Photos
Getting there
Terlan - TerlanoTrain, nearest
2.9 km as the crow flies
Festenstein Castle
Aeroporto di Bolzano-Dolomiti - Flughafen Bozen-Dolomiten10.2 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore castles in Trentino-South Tyrol
Frequently asked questions
Where is Festenstein Castle?
Festenstein Castle is in Eppan an der Weinstraße, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-South Tyrol), Italy. GPS coordinates: 46.51199, 11.21877.
What else is there to see near Festenstein Castle?
Nearby you’ll find: Wolfsthurn Castle (600 m away), Hocheppan Castle (2.8 km away), Castle Payrsberg (3 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 5 photos
- Schluchtburg Festenstein 1999 — Sir Boris, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Castel Festenstein 01 — Syrio, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Burg Festenstein ober Andrian gegen die Texelgruppe — Bartleby08, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Festenstein 1 — SMLW, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Festenstein, Eppan (ost) — Thesurvived99, CC BY-SA 3.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences