Neurasen, Medieval castle ruins in Oberrasen, Italy

Neurasen is a castle ruin on a wooded slope near Oberrasen in the Antholz Valley. Its square keep rises about 17 metres, with walls around 2 metres thick, and parts of the ring wall, outer ward, main gate, east wing and cistern remain. A lower wall with an arched opening stands to the right of the tower.

The Lords of Rasen built this fortification during the 13th century to control the region. Ownership transferred to the Bishops of Brixen in 1342, who maintained it until it was eventually abandoned.

The castle's name alternates between Neurasen and the Italian Castelnuovo Rasun, while old sources also call it Burg St. Anastasienberg. Its 17th-century decline left it to the Welsperg family, who neglected it until it became a ruin. A surviving stone spout in the east wing marks the site of the former kitchen.

The ruins are accessible via marked hiking trails starting from Oberrasen, requiring several hours of walking. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to steep terrain, and parking is available near the trail entrance.

Neurasen stands at 1,345 metres above sea level, not the lower figure sometimes quoted. The keep measures 9.70 by 9.20 metres with walls about 2 metres thick, and the path from Niederrasen climbs 354 metres over 2.9 kilometres, taking about 75 minutes.