Wolkenstein Castle

In the Vallunga, there is the family seat of the Tyrolean noble family Wolkenstein-Trostburg, located in a rather unusual position at more than 1,600 m of altitude. It can be seen high up in the Stevia rockface, a 2,555 m high mountain of the Puez Group in the Dolomites. The castle's position reveals that it was constructed to monitor the transition area from the Val Gardena to the Val Badia.

The castle dates back to the 13th century. After initial deterioration, it passed into the hands of Randolt von Villanders, an ancestor of the noble Wolkenstein family, ancestors of the famous minestrel Oswald von Wolkenstein. The lyric poet and composer had an adventuresome life and often resided in Wolkenstein Castle on the Stevia rockface.

In the 15th century, the castle was stormed by the Venetians, in the 16th century it was rebuilt, before it finally started deteriorating. Still preserved today is the wall directed to the south as well as the forecourt of the castle.