Casatsch

Casatsch (also known as Pfeffersburg or Casaccia) is a ruined medieval castle in the municipality of Tisens (Tesimo), perched on a rocky hill above the village of Nals in South Tyrol. It's not a grand, fully restored fortress — it's the kind of place you visit for the quiet and the view, which stretches across the Adige valley and the surrounding mountains.

Where does the name come from, and what's the history?

The castle was built starting in 1194 at the initiative of several local noble families. Permission came from the prince-bishop of Trento, Konrad II von Beseno, who granted a hill known as "Casac" — the origin of today's name Casatsch — to a group of noblemen: Ulrich Ruf, the brothers Heinrich and Friedrich von Pitzol, and Marquard, Hartwig and During of Tisens. The hill sat within the parish of Tisens, right above Nals, which is why the castle is sometimes associated with either place.

Ownership shifted over the centuries. In the second half of the 14th century it belonged to the Lords von Greifenstein, and from 1390 onward — with a few interruptions, including a period under the Zwingenstein family — it stayed largely in the hands of the Botsch family. Around 1600 the building fell into disrepair and spent the following centuries as a picturesque but largely forgotten ruin.

What will you actually see there?

Today, parts of the donjon (the main defensive tower) and sections of the curtain wall survive. The ruin underwent a thorough restoration completed in 2002, initiated by its private owner, Verena Jordan — the work didn't rebuild the castle but stabilized and secured it, so visitors can now walk through the site safely and still read its layout. A small on-site exhibition covers the castle's history in more depth.

Casatsch also has a cultural life beyond sightseeing: the grounds are occasionally used for open-air concerts and cultural events, which gives the ruin a different atmosphere outside the usual tourist season.

How do you get to the Casatsch ruin?

The castle sits on a hill above Nals, within the Tisens-Prissian municipality, roughly between Meran/Merano and Bolzano — a location that makes it easy to combine with a visit to either town. Access is usually via a local road leading toward the hill, with the final stretch covered on foot. Sturdy shoes are worth packing, since the terrain is rocky and gets steep near the top.

When is the best time to visit?

The ruin is open year-round, but spring, summer and early autumn offer the best views and the most pleasant walking conditions, when the Adige valley is green with vineyards and orchards. In summer, it's worth checking the local events calendar — open-air concerts held on the castle grounds are a chance to see the site in a completely different light.

Frequently asked questions

Is Casatsch the same castle as Pfeffersburg? Yes — it's the same structure, referred to in sources and on-site information under two (or sometimes three) names: Casatsch, Pfeffersburg, and occasionally Casaccia.

Can you actually walk into the ruin? Yes. The site is open to visitors year-round, and thanks to the restoration work, the surviving parts of the donjon and walls can be viewed up close.

How long does it take to reach the site? The final approach is uphill and requires a short but somewhat demanding walk — plan for anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour depending on where you start from.

Is it worth combining with other sights in the area? Definitely. Sitting between Meran/Merano and Bolzano, Casatsch fits naturally into a route that includes other castles and villages in South Tyrol, such as the area around Nals or Tisens-Prissian itself.