The history of the village is closely linked to its namesake, the “beautiful castle”, as it is called in Italian
Image gallery: Castelbello
"Castel bello", the beautiful castle, is the most striking building on the way to the main village of Kastelbell-Tschars. It sits majestically above the road on the journey into the Val Venosta: From July to September, visitors can explore the exhibition here on the Roman road Via Claudia Augusta and admire the impressive frescoes in the Romanesque castle chapel.
Castelbello Castle once belonged to the Lords of Montalban, later passing to the Tyrolean sovereigns and the Counts of Hendl: It evolved from a military fortress into a stately palace. Today, Castelbello (Kastelbell) is situated on the slopes of the Monte Sole and is therefore a popular starting point for various tours, both on foot and by mountain bike. People cycle and hike here through chestnut and deciduous forests, up to the alpine pastures, to Mt. Punta di Trumes and Mt. Cima Vermoi, or on the Waalwege paths along former irrigation channels.
One of these, the hike on the Latschander Waalweg path, passes through Castelbello and Ciardes. On the orographically right bank of the Adige River, however, lie the apple orchards of the valley floor. Castelbello is also interesting from a culinary perspective. In spring, the Castelbello Asparagus Weeks are celebrated, during which freshly harvested asparagus is served with a special asparagus wine: the dry white wine "Asparagus".
In autumn, when the days grow cooler and the harvest is brought in, the traditional wine taverns and cellars open their doors for cosy Toerggele evenings. People then taste the new wine and eat "Schlachtplatte", a mixed meat platter, roasted sweet chestnuts, and traditional Krapfen.
