Andraz Museum

The Castle of Andraz (Schloss Buchenstein in German, Ciastel de Andrac in Ladin) rises up on a massive erratic, that was moved in its actual position overlooking the valley below during the last Ice Age (110.000-10.000 years ago).
The castle was built in a location chosen because strategically relevant for the control of the routes crossing the Dolomites area, especially the one that, departing from the town of Agordo, reached the Puster Valley. The underlying creek, named “Ru de Ciastel”, presumably at that time served as a border between the Patriarchate of Aquileia and the County of the Puster Valley.
The castle displays an extraordinary structure, conceived in the 14th century to adjust to the rock it sits on. The internal layout features overlapping horizontal plans that take advantage of the slope and the shape of the boulder, all linked by a singular staircase.
The majesty of the place, the contributions by multiple cultures, the beauty of the landscape and the extraordinary preservation of the natural environment make this castle one of the most fascinating symbols of the Eastern Alps: all these factors contributed to the recognition of the Dolomites as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
We suggest you visit the castle on a guided tour or with an audio guide (available in Italian, English, French and German).

For more information: www.castellodiandraz.it