A German-speaking village at the foot of the Sciliar, with the tallest bell tower in the area and living farming traditions.
A short history
Castelrotto, Kastelruth in German, sits at 1,060 metres in a sunny hollow at the foot of the Sciliar. It is a German-speaking village, the most important old centre on the plateau, with painted houses, arcades and a bell tower you can spot from far away.
The bell tower is the symbol of the village. Over 80 metres tall, it rises on the main square next to the parish church. The tower stayed standing after a fire that destroyed the old church in the 18th century, later rebuilt. The sound of its bells still marks the rhythm of village life.
Castelrotto holds its traditions close. Religious processions, parades in traditional dress and farming festivals fill the calendar. The village is also tied to South Tyrolean folk music, with choirs and folk groups known across the region.
The most famous group are the Kastelruther Spatzen, the "sparrows of Castelrotto", formed in 1976. They are the most successful German-language folk music act, with more than one hundred gold records. Every June their Open Air draws thousands of people, and a museum in the village gathers the band's awards and memorabilia.
The bell tower you see today dates to 1756-58. It was built by master Simon Rieder of Bressanone after the fire of 1753, which damaged the old Gothic church and dozens of village buildings. In late May Castelrotto is also one of the stops of the Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride, a large equestrian tournament that links the Sciliar villages.
How to fit Castelrotto into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Sciliar, the symbol mountain that towers over the village with its Denti di Terrarossa.
- The Alpe di Siusi loop, the circuit through meadows and mountain huts of the great plateau above the village.
- The main square with the bell tower over 80 metres tall, the frescoed houses and the parish church, heart of the old centre.
How to get to Castelrotto
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at the Bolzano Nord exit and drive up the road towards the Sciliar plateau. The nearest railway station is Ponte Gardena, on the Brenner line, linked to Castelrotto by regular buses. From Bolzano there are direct coaches reaching the village centre.
When to go
Summer is the best time for hikes on the Alpe di Siusi and the village's costume festivals. In autumn the meadows turn golden and the air is crisp. In winter the village is a base for skiing and for walks in the snow, with the old centre lively with markets.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Castelrotto?
The main square with the bell tower over 80 metres tall, the frescoed houses and the parish church. From the village you climb to the Sciliar and the Alpe di Siusi, with the meadows and huts of the great plateau.
Why is Castelrotto famous?
For its tidy village at the foot of the Sciliar, the bell tower that dominates the square and its farming and musical traditions. It is the main old centre of the Alpe di Siusi plateau.
How do you get to Castelrotto?
By car you leave the A22 at the Bolzano Nord exit and drive up towards the Sciliar. The nearest station is Ponte Gardena, linked to the village by regular buses, and direct coaches run from Bolzano to the centre.
When is the best time to visit Castelrotto?
Summer is ideal for hikes and costume festivals, autumn for the colours and clear air. In winter the village becomes a base for skiing and for walks in the snow.
Who are the Kastelruther Spatzen?
They are the most famous German-language folk music group, formed in Castelrotto in 1976. The name means "sparrows of Castelrotto". They have won more than one hundred gold records and every June they hold their Open Air. The village has a museum dedicated to the band.
How tall is the bell tower of Castelrotto?
The bell tower is over 80 metres tall and is the symbol of the village. It was built between 1756 and 1758 by master Simon Rieder of Bressanone, after the fire of 1753 that had destroyed the old Gothic church and many village buildings.