Chela Castle

Gais features two castles: Casanova Castle and Chela Castle. Located at an altitude of 1,188 m a.s.l., this castle was built by the Bishops of Bressanone at the beginning of the 12th century. Its construction was launched by Bishop Albuino who purchased a farm on the "praedium Chela" in 995, from which the so-called Chela Castle originates. In the following centuries, this fortress was pledged to various noble families.

The castle changed hands many times throughout its history and left to decay. In 1545, the structure was granted to Hans von Rost with the obligation to restore it. It remained in the possession of the von Rost family until 1891 when it was sold to the Bishop of Kaschau/Hungary, Sigismondo Bubics. He renovated it but later had to sell the fortress due to financial reasons.

The monument was destroyed by a devastating fire on 30th April 1944 and is now a ruin. It is accessible by taking path no. 2 from the village of Gais. The path leads across the wood to alpine meadows with some mountain farms. From here it is approximately an hour's walk to Chela Castle.