Flavon Castle

Flavon Castle (Haselburg) perches majestically on a rocky outcrop high above Bolzano. The first castle complex, built in the 12th century by the Lords of Haselberg, already possessed an outer perimeter wall along the more vulnerable south and east flanks. The main residential building was situated just above the porphyry cliffs, and it is believed that an earlier keep also stood here.

Between 1474 and 1541, the complex underwent extensive renovation and expansion under the Lords of Fiè. A double-arcaded hall, another residential building to the north, and a new defensive wall all date from this period. The rooms of the three-winged castle were also decorated with elaborate fresco cycles. In 2001 and 2002, Flavon Castle was renovated under the direction of architect Dietmar Dejori. During the renovation, old double arcades were freed from later 18th-century additions, cellar rooms were uncovered, and the collapsed northern Palas was rebuilt.

Flavon Castle was restored to its original three-winged form. Today, it houses a restaurant and offers spaces for seminars, conferences, and weddings. Celebrations are held in the SkyBar, which boasts stunning views over Bolzano. Inside, the richly detailed frescoes are well worth seeing, including depictions of ancient emperors and generals, as well as scenes from the myth of Apollo.

How to get there: You can reach Flavon Castle via a road that leads upwards from the Oltrisarco-Aslago district. From the car park in the woods, it's just a short walk to the castle. The hike on the Alta Via di Laives, the Laives High Route, also passes by Flavon Castle.