Chela Castle

Besides the Casanova Castle, Gais has another castle ruin to show, in fact the Chela Castle. At 1,188 m a.s.l., the castle was built by the bishops of Bressanone in the early 12th century. Probably Bishop Albuin was the driving force behind it, in 995 he acquired a farmhouse on the “praedium Chela”. During the following centuries, the castle always was subject of fee and pledge.

A frequent change of ownership characterises the lively history of the castle. Around 1500 it already was a ruin, then in 1545 it was passed on to Hans von Rost as a fief with the obligation, that he rebuilds the castle. In 1891 the castle was resold to the Hungarian Bishop Sigismund Bubnics, who renovated and splendidly equipped it. But for financial reasons he had to sell the castle.

A really black day for the castle, was April 30, 1944. On that day the castle fell victim to a horrific fire, it burnt out completely. Chela Castle was not rebuilt again, therefore it has been remained only as a ruin until today. The castle is accessible via the hiking path no. 2 which starts in the village of Gais. It proceeds through dense forests and light meadows with some mountain farms. After about one hour, the mystery Chela Castle is reached.