Tour of the Three Castles of Appiano

DESCRIPTION
Castles, frescoes and dumplings: the Middle Ages in Appiano.

Geographical location
Appiano sulla Strada del Vino (Eppan an der Weinstraße in German) is a municipality in South Tyrol, a few kilometres from Bolzano. The area lies to the west of the provincial capital, in the Oltradige region.

Hike
Appiano is also known as the land of castles, lakes and wines. This hike reveals its medieval side through three castles. The first is Castel Corba. It dates back to the 13th century and now houses a hotel, so it can only be admired from the outside. The second is Castel d'Appiano. Founded in 1130 by Count Ulrich II, it soon became one of the most important fortresses and most prestigious residences in the region. The third is Castel Boymont, built around 1230 by the Counts of Appiano.
The section towards the first two castles runs mainly on road, so it can also be done with a pushchair. From Castel d'Appiano to Boymont everything changes: the path is steep, with sections of comfortable steps. It maintains these characteristics up to the road. The descent towards the starting point is largely on asphalt.
Castel d'Appiano can be visited freely, but the Chapel only opens with a guide and the tour lasts about 30 minutes. At Boymont you can climb the tower and admire the surrounding panorama.

History and curiosities
Castel Corba. It was built by the Lords of Corba (Korb in German) in 1236, and the family descended from ministeriales of the Counts of Appiano. Originally it was a simple inhabited tower of five floors, surrounded by wooden buildings. In the 19th century the castle grew in several stages. In 1918 it passed to the Dellago family, who transformed it into a charming hotel; the family still owns it.
Castel d'Appiano. It has a long history. It was built in 1130 by Count Ulrich II and soon became one of the most important fortresses and most prestigious residences in the region. Since 2019 it has belonged to the Municipality of Appiano. The jewel is the Chapel. It houses a cycle of Romanesque frescoes so precious that it has earned the name Sistine Chapel of the Alps. Around 1210 Count Ulrich III had it decorated. The frescoes show influences of Byzantine art, perhaps born from his travels to the Holy Land. Outside the Chapel some frescoes remain. On the left, a hunting scene: a nobleman on horseback chases a deer with dogs. Above the door, the Crucifixion. On the right, Saint Christopher. Inside, among the most curious scenes, the dumpling eater stands out.
Castel Boymont. It was built around 1230 by the Counts of Appiano and given in fief to the von Boymont family. The name probably means Mount of Oxen. It was not built for defence, but for living: it was a lordly residence, carefully designed. In 1425 a fire destroyed it and from then on it was abandoned.

ITINERARY
From the car park near the cemetery of San Paolo (394 m) head towards the Parish Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Here follow trail marker 12 and climb to Castel Corba (455 m), the first castle. Continue uphill to Castel d'Appiano (636 m). From here trail marker 14 leads along an up-and-down path, with sections of comfortable steps, to Castel Boymont (630 m). Finally take trail marker 8A, which passes a water reservoir (630 m) and the Kreuzstein (575 m) and returns to the starting point.

EXCURSION DATE
31 October 2026

STARTING POINT
San Paolo, a hamlet of Appiano sulla Strada del Vino

REFRESHMENT POINT
Locanda Cappella di Castel d'Appiano and Locanda Castello Boymont

AUTHOR'S SUGGESTIONS
Stopping for lunch or a snack at the castle inns is a pleasant experience.

SAFETY ADVICE
The practicability of the proposed itinerary, like all mountain terrain, is subject to environmental changes due to natural events and weather conditions. Therefore, before setting off, consult the relevant tourist offices and/or the mountain huts for reference.
Our GPX tracks are indicative only, meaning the route was followed as best as possible given the trail conditions and weather of that day. Therefore always assess what to do on site.
Also remember to evaluate the route based on your physical abilities, training and the equipment you have.
It is advisable to leave word with someone about the itinerary you intend to follow.
Remember that the emergency number is 112.

EQUIPMENT
It is recommended to have equipment suitable for the route, weather conditions and season: windproof and/or rainproof jacket, map and/or GPS device, sunglasses, sun cream, hiking boots, first aid kit, specific clothing, gloves, backpack with food and drinks.

RECOMMENDED MAPS
Tabacco 049 Südtiroler Weinstrasse / Strada del Vino

INTERESTING LINKS
https://my.visim.eu/it/tour/burg-hocheppan

HOW TO ARRIVE
A22 Bolzano Sud exit. Take the SS38 towards Merano and then the SS42 until you reach the hamlet of San Paolo in Appiano.

PARKING AREA
San Paolo, a hamlet of Appiano sulla Strada del Vino
GPS coordinates: 46.470143, 11.263761

Parcheggio a San Paolo

Il paese di San Paolo

Si inizia a salire tra frutteti e vigneti

Subito si ha una vista d'insieme

Castel Corba

Il bosco con i colori autunnali

Siamo sotto il Castel d'Appiano

Entriamo a Castel d'Appiano

All'interno del Castel d'Appiano

La cappella del Castel d'Appiano

L'interno della cappella

Passaggi su scale

Il Castel d'Appiano visto da sentiero 14

All'interno del Castello di Boymont

Il Castello di Boymont visto dalla Torre