Ganda Castle

On a hill of Pigeno in Appiano on the Wine Road, Ganda Castle - "Schloss Gandegg" in German, "Castel Ganda" in Italian - is located. Several centuries ago, the Maierhof was located here, a farm which gradually gave way to a more magnificent building. In 1434 a residential tower was first mentioned in a written document, then owned by the Lords of Annenberg. A century later, the castle was given as a fief to the Counts of Khuen of Belasi, who gave it its present appearance.

The basic concept of Ganda Castle corresponds to the style of the fortifications of Upper Italy at that time. Under the counts the already existing Chapel of St. Mary of the Snows was also rebuilt. Inside, a beautiful carved altar with a picture of the Virgin Mary, created by Jakob Poder from Caldaro, and a Humpel organ can be admired. Today, Ganda Castle presents itself as a rectangular building with four round towers. The castle is surrounded by an extensive park and farm buildings with late-Gothic components. Inside, the castle is splendidly furnished with halls with coffered ceilings, impressive double doors and tiled stoves from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Ganda Castle is not open to the public, but events are held here for which the complex opens its doors (e.g. organ walks). And how to reach it? A small road takes you past it, besides you can also reach it along the hiking trail from San Michele Appiano to the Ice Holes at the foot of Mt. Ganda.