Castelbello Ciardes

The territory of Castelbello-Ciardes, municipality with 2.300 people, comprises the villages of Castelbello, Ciardes, Colsano, Maragno, Lacinigo, Montefranco, Montetrumes, Montefontana and Juvale, is located in the lower Val Venosta, between Naturno and Laces, only a few km from Merano and an altitude between 556 and 2,912 m asl. It stretches from the fruit orchards and asparagus fields in the valley to the summit of the Punta di Trumes.

Among the most impressive attractions of the municipality whose name derives from its main places which came to be one in 1928, there is Castelbello Castle, constructed by the Signori di Montalban, who still today dominate the castle guarding the village from above.

In the village of Juval, Neolithic site at the entrance of the Val Senales, there is Castel Juval. Known as summer residence of the Alpinist Reinhold Messner, Castel Juval is venue for a rich exhibition, not only with Tibetian pieces of art, called “The Myth of the Mountain”. This museum belongs to the museum concept MMM, created by the successful South Tyrolean alpinist.

Beside its castles, Castelbello-Ciardes also preserves another historic remnant, which are characteristic paths along the irrigation canals constructed in the course of time by the local farmers. Today the network of paths along irrigation canals (Waalwege) make up about 50 km, one of these trails snakes its way from Ciardes int othe Val Senales. Also worth seeing are the ancient water mills, which have recently been restored.

The municipal territory of Castelbello-Ciardes is rich in natural attractions such as the “Vecchio Adige” biotope in the village of Colsano. A vast network of trails spans over this area that can best be walked on foot or discovered by mountain bike. This area, thanks not only to the fabulous offer regarding accommodations and gastronomy, is an ideal place for summer holidays, surrounded by the Stelvio national park and the Gruppo di Tessa nature park.

If you stay in Castelbello-Ciardes, also the neighbouring Val Senales might attract your attention, on the one hand due to its fabulous high alpine scenery, on the other hand for its skiing facilities that make you enjoy skiing and snowboarding also in summer months on the Val Senales glacier. Worth mentioning is also the small skiing area “Pure Nature Ski” at the Alpe di Tarres, which has recently been re-opened and which is accessible from Laces.

An event that you absolutely don’t have to miss, taking place from mid April to May, are the Asparagus weeks in Castelbello. This gastronomic event involves local farmers and restaurants and makes you taste delicious asparagus plates, the hobby horse of local food growing.

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