Chela Castle

The village of Gais features two castles: the castle of Casanova and the castle of Chela. This monument at 1,188 m a.s.l. was built by the bishops of Bressanone in the 12th century. In 995 the bishop Albuin purchased a farm on the "praedium Chela" which he converted into the fortress of Chela. During the following centuries the monument was pledged to different noble families.

The castle of Chela changed hands several times during its eventful history. Already a ruin in 1500, the fortress was pledged to Hans von Rost with the duty of renovating it. In 1891 the castle was purchased by the Hungarian bishop Sigismund Bubics who restored it and decorated it with precious furniture. Due to financial problems, the bishop was forced to sell the castle.

On 30 April 1944 the castle was almost entirely destroyed in a fire. The castle was never rebuilt which is why today only its ruins are accessible. They can be reached in a 1 hour walk along the hiking path no. 2 starting from Gais. Initially, the itinerary runs through a dense forest, then it leads across some sunny meadows and past a few mountain farms.