Castel Ivano will envelop you in its captivating atmosphere from the moment you pass through the initial gate. As you step through this enchanting threshold, you'll find yourself entering an almost otherworldly realm, where the cares of the outside world gently fade away. The only sound will be that of your footsteps softly crunching on the gravel pathway, guiding you through a portion of the extensive park, ultimately leading to the heart of the castle. Suddenly, before your eyes, the castle will reveal itself in all its magnificent splendour.

As you explore the courtyards and interiors, which transform with the seasons, colours and light, you will be immersed in the Staudacher family's meticulous attention to detail that has transformed this historical residence into a warm and inviting place to cherish.

THE HISTORY OF CASTEL IVANO

Thanks to its position on the border between Austria and Tyrol, and later Italy and Feltre, Castel Ivano has witnessed many historical events and several changes of ownership throughout its thousand-year history.

The original core of the Castle is the keep, a defensive structure built by the Lombards (6th-8th century A.D.) during the great barbarian invasions that occurred following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It was around 590, when the Lombards built new fortifications in Valsugana, alongside the Roman military road called Claudia Augusta Altinate, to protect themselves from the attacks of the Franks and the Alemanni.

Lombard rule in Italy ended in 774 and from then on the Valsugana came under the dominion of the Francs and their king Charlemagne, the future Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. During the reign of Berengar, Charlemagne's great-grandson, the valley was invaded by the violent Hungarians and leading to further strengthening of the already existing defence structures and the initial expansion of the Ivano fortress. In 1027, by the grace of Emperor Conrad II the Salian to the Bishop of Feltre who had temporal power over the territories of lower Valsugana, Castel Ivano was placed under Venetian jurisdiction.

The earliest historical document related to the Castle dates back to 1187, where mention is made a Lord called Ivano. With the end of the rule of the Bishops and Counts of Feltre in 1228, Castel Ivano and lower Valsugana were contested for almost two centuries among various Lords, including Ezzelino da Romano, the da Camino family, the Scaligeris of Verona, the Carraresi lords and Gian Galeazzo Visconti. In approximately 1375, during the rule of the Carraresi dynasty, the coat of arms of the House – four wheels and two axles of a cart – was stamped on the tower of Castel Ivano and is still present today. In 1413, the lower stretch of the Valsugana was annexed to the County of Tyrol and became part of the Austrian House of Habsburg, thus coming under Habsburg dominion.

Castel Ivano was initially governed by trusted captains and later by the Tyrolean Wolkenstein-Trostburg family, who managed the fiefdom as ‘feudo pignoratizio’ or collateral for money lent to them until 1750, when Empress Marie Therese of Austria granted perpetual ownership of the state to the family.

With the death of the last Wolkenstein family member, Count Antonio, in 1913, and following the events of World War I, his heirs ceded the heavily damaged Castel Ivano in 1923 to the castle's administrator, Franz Staudacher of Bruneck, who had been living with his family within Castel Ivano since 1901. Franz took care of the architectural structure, parks and lands while working on the redevelopment of Castel Ivano.

His children, in particular Vittorio Staudacher, a distinguished surgeon of international renown, worked tirelessly to restore Ivano Castle to its former glory. His grandchildren Ivana and Carlo, the current owners of the Castle, have picked up the baton and are carrying on with the monumental conservation project.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS AT CASTEL IVANO

WEDDINGS AND CEREMONIES

Castel Ivano is the perfect location to transform your dreams into reality.

This medieval castle offers an exclusive venue where you can realise the wedding of your dreams and is the perfect place to host your reception at any time of the year. Castel Ivano promises an unforgettable wedding experience: the entire Castle will be exclusively at your disposal, enabling you to personalise every detail, arrange the hall according to your personal tastes and ensure your guests spend a memorable day in a unique ambiance. In summary, the wedding you have always dreamed of is about to become a reality! Thanks to the variously sized spaces and reception rooms, you can achieve the ideal atmosphere for your wedding, whatever style you have in mind. Picture an outdoor ceremony, an aperitif by the swimming pool under the magnificent centuries-old oak tree, followed by the cake-cutting ceremony by the ancient fountain illuminated with candles and lanterns… Whether you desire a traditional or contemporary wedding, an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our versatile halls offer a range of solutions to suit your needs.

By organising your wedding at Castel Ivano, you can also offer your guests the experience of a guided tour of the oldest rooms of the residence and the dungeons! You will have access to the park, the flowered courtyard and the ancient complex to take photos you will treasure, without ever straying too far from your friends and family. Come and visit the amazing Castle and see for yourself! We will be happy to give you all the information you need.

AUTUMN AND WINTER WEDDINGS

The autumnal colours at Castel Ivano are breath-taking, as the lush greenery transforms into a rich palette of spectacular hues. Your guests will be entreated to a whole new experience. Our halls are all heated and are extremely comfortable all year round, regardless of the weather conditions outside. Winter also lends itself beautifully to fairy-tale weddings, with its characteristic lighting and cosy intimacy.

CORPORATE EVENTS

Castel Ivano is suitable for hosting corporate events, workshops, conferences and activities to present companies and their products, motivating your employees or or simply providing a special moment for your team. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more about all the possibilities our facility offers. It is possible to organise company dinners for small groups or large companies in the available reception rooms. We also host product presentations, mini fairs and other events to promote your business. The outdoor areas are suitable for entertainment, parties and other recreational activities, making them perfect for teambuilding as well.

PRIVATE PARTIES

The Castle is the ideal venue to celebrate important moments in your life. Thanks to its multiple rooms, charming spaces, gardens and the beautiful courtyard, Castel Ivano is suitable for planning your graduation or birthday party, or to celebrate a communion or an anniversary. It is perfectly positioned to propose evocative spaces for a small gathering of a few people or a grand celebration, not only during the summer months but in every season, including winter.

GUIDED TOURS

The Castle is inhabited by the owners, so it can only be visited by booking a guide. Please note that the garden and interiors can only be visited by prior appointment. As well as the guided tour, it is also possible to organise a lunch or snack to be enjoyed in the Castle's halls or in the park, making your visit a unique experience for a family or a group! Please contact us for more information.

Prices for the guided tour:

• Full price: € 8
• Children aged 6-12: € 4
• Children under the age of 6 and people with disabilities: free of charge.