Juval Castle, Medieval castle in Kastelbell-Tschars, Italy
Juval Castle is a stone fortress perched at 1000 meters elevation at the entrance of Schnalstal Valley, with views across the South Tyrolean landscape. The structure combines medieval walls with gallery spaces that display collections from around the world.
The fortress was built around 1250 and passed through several hands, including the lords of Starkenberg in 1368 and later the Blaas family. These changes in ownership reflect the shifting political landscape of the region across medieval and modern times.
The castle houses a collection of Tibetan art and masks gathered from five continents, showing how mountain regions around the world share similar human connections. These objects tell stories of trade and cultural exchange that travelers and collectors discovered over time.
You can reach the castle on foot in about an hour or take a shuttle bus service from the valley below. The route offers changing views of the surrounding mountain landscape and conditions vary by season.
The name Juval comes from Mons Jovis, Latin for Mountain of Jupiter, revealing ancient Roman connections to this location. This link to classical times persists in place names throughout the region.
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