Eschenlohe Castle, Medieval castle ruins in St. Pankraz, Italy.
Eschenlohe Castle consists of stone ruins positioned high above the Ulten Valley where the Rio Fratta and Valsura rivers meet. The remaining walls and tower sections reveal the original layout of this medieval fortress.
The fortress was first documented in 1163 as Olten Castle and served as a residence for local rulers. Ownership later passed to the Counts of Trapp who controlled the region.
The castle displays typical South Tyrolean defensive building methods visible in its stone walls and tower foundations. You can observe how medieval builders adapted their construction techniques to the mountain landscape.
The interior is closed to visitors, but the exterior can be viewed from a hiking trail that starts in St. Pankraz village. The path requires moderate walking ability and offers views across the valley.
The castle name comes from the Eschenloher family and 'Loach', meaning the deciduous forest that surrounds the structure. This connection between name and nature remains visible in the heavily wooded setting today.
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