Rafenstein Castle

On a rocky hill high above the Talvera Gorge, in the quarter of Centro-Piani at the entrance of the Val Sarentino valley, Rafenstein Castle - "Burg Rafenstein" in German, "Castel Rafeinstein" in Italian - appears in conspicuous position. The complex was constructed in the 13th century by the Bishop of Trento Friedrich von Wangen in order to control the commercial relationship between north and south and in order to keep the sovereignty of Bolzano. As this is also where an important commercial road passed by, this castle in the Mediaeval and still in early modern times was rather significant. At that time, Rafenstein Castle was only composed of a great hall, a low donjon as well as a circular wall. Only in the 14th century an outer ward, a bastille and a southern wing were added to the complex. In 1357, the castle was owned by Franz von Ravenstein.

As his son died very early, the possession was handed over to the Goldegg family, thereon it was bequested to the Weinecker family. From 1500 to 1599, Sigmund Gerstl and Hans Wueff owned the castle, afterwards the Earls of Wolkenstein took it over. The most significant construction phase of Rafenstein Castle took place in the 16th century, when the Mediaeval complex became a late Gothic building. Only in the 19th century, when the Earls of Wolkenstein did no longer inhabit the castle, it began to decay. After extensive stabilisation and renovation works in the last years, the ruin of Rafenstein Castle is now accessible again to the public. Closeby there was a restaurant, named Rafenstein Castle Restaurant, but it has been closed some time ago.

At the beginning of the Via Rafenstein road, beneath the castle, there's the Antonio Dalle Nogare Foundation. And how to reach it? It can even be reached by car, but the road is steep and narrow and only recommended to those who are experts. On foot, however, the ruin is accessible from the road to San Genesio. Furthermore, Rafenstein is a station along the Castle Path "Castelronda".