The castle was already built in, or possibly even before, 1230 and first mentioned in documents in 1238. In 1293 Kastelbell Castle was in the possession of the sovereign. Since about 1300 it has been used as the seat of the mayor and judge of Kastelbell. Among the earliest parts of the castle are the stately great hall with a dungeon and outer castle as well as the two lower floors of the south tract and the Chapel of St Mary, which was completed in 1317 and originally stood on its own. Until a few years ago, Countess Elvira Hendl, as the last of her line, lived in the castle. Today the castle belongs to the Italian State and is managed by the curators of Kastelbell Castle. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the Roman road “Via Claudia Augusta”, there are tours of the castle and special exhibitions of works by major artists.