Kehlburg, Medieval castle ruins in Gais, Italy.
Kehlburg are the remains of a medieval fortified structure perched at 1188 meters above the Tures Valley and the Bruneck plain. Stone walls and foundations reveal the original layout of the fortress, showing how buildings were once arranged within the defensive enclosure.
A bishop purchased the land in 995 from a local nobleman and transformed a farm into a defensive structure serving the Diocese of Brixen. The fortress developed over centuries as a strategic outpost in the region.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Erasmus continues to draw pilgrims from Gais and nearby villages who value this place for its spiritual significance. The site remains woven into the religious life of the local community even in its ruined state.
The ruins can be reached on foot from Gais village via a marked hiking trail that takes about one hour through forested terrain. Bring sturdy shoes and allow extra time since the path climbs steadily uphill through narrow sections.
A wartime fire in 1944 caused severe damage that left the structure in permanent ruins. Since that event, no reconstruction took place, and the damage marks remain visible.
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