Juval Castle, Castelbello-Ciardes, Italy

Juval Castle (Italian Castel Juval) is located at the entrance of the Schnalstal valley. It derives its name from the Latin name of the mountain, Mons Jovis (mountain of Jupiter).

The oldest account of the castle dates to 1278, when it was owned by Hugo of Montalban. It was probably constructed about thirty years before the first account referencing it. In 1368, it was acquired by the lords of Starkenberg, and in 1540, it passed to Sinkmoser. The period from its construction to the mid 1500s was the castle's heyday.

After several more changes of ownership, in 1813, it was sold to a local farmer, Josef Blaas. The castle fell into disrepair, until in 1913 William Rowland carefully restored it.

Since 1983, it is the summer residence (July and August) of famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who has partially converted it into a museum displaying works of Tibetan art and a collection of masks from five continents. A later restoration of the castle was presided over by Vinschgau architect Karl Spitaler. It is one of the venues of the Messner Mountain Museum. The museum is closed in the summer months, when Messner resides in the castle.

Around the castle there is a path open to the public along which there are informational signs relating to the botanical features on the grounds. For private individuals, the castle is accessible only on foot with an hour-long walk or by using a special bus service.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Simy (2 years ago)
We decided to stop and visit the castle on our way to Merano, after we previously visited the MMM Ortles in Sulden and had a great experience there, but unfortunately we didn't get the chance to see this museum, even though we were right on time for the shuttle. A "very polite" lady who was driving the shuttle was not willing to answer any question (we didn't know if we could buy tickets directly from the driver), she just replied in a very irritated tone: "only German or Italian" (in German). There was another shuttle driver who didn't even bother to ask if any help was needed. We were the only two English speakers among other ten German speakers who were being welcomed and asked very politly to board the shuttle, while we were left there. Basically, no one is eager to help as long as you're not speaking German, or Italian. This is quite absurd and denotes lack of professionalism, considering that the Messner Mountain Museums should be accessible to anyone, internationally, regardless of nationality or spoken language. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to walk up to the museum, so we left. Thanks for a "great experience"!

peter hanuliak (2 years ago)
A magic place of a living legend. Mr. Messner brought here the gems from the different places of the world connected with his activities of mountaineering. A truly beautifull, and one and only kind of exhibition focuses on mountaineering, spirituality and sa red mountains. You need to keep your Car at the foot of the hill since the Road to the Castle is private, but there is a shuttle. The surroundings are also very nice, farms, people..

Raimund Vondertruth (2 years ago)
A very nice owner. Beautiful castle

Lars Sp (3 years ago)
This is an absolutely mesmerizing place. Alpinism and Tibetan cultures, hosted in a castle ruin.

Carlos NEVES (3 years ago)
Very interesting place. A lot of beautiful memories from the owner of the place. Didn't know Reinhold Messner before, but he/his story impressed me

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Juval Castle

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