Location: Bolzano
Top Things to do in Bolzano
Countries
Things to do in Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige: The Best Castles
The capital of Italy’s northernmost region of South Tyrol, Bolzano (Bozen in German) has only been Italian since World War I, and its character remains distinctly Germanic. At the center of the town, Piazza Walther is named for a 13th-century German minstrel. The town’s most famous resident, Ötzi the Iceman, dates from about 3300 BC and now rests at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. The striking new building for Museion, the city’s modern and contemporary art museum, opened in 2008.
Restaurants in Bolzano
1. Castel Hortenberg
2. Runkelstein Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 622 reviews
Runkelstein Castle lies on a porphyr rock and overlooks the city of Bolzano. Its construction began in the year 1237 by order of the nobles Friedrich and Beral von Wangen. However, its moment of glory was the year 1385, when the castle was acquired by the bourgeois brothers Franz and Niklaus Vintler. Up to the present day Runkelstein Castle hosts the largest cycle of secular medieval frescoes.
Reviewed By vessi80 - North Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
The free shuttle bus from Piazza Walther whisks you straight here. 10 minute uphill walk from the car park and you're back in the 13th century ! Entrance is 8 euros but included with the Alto Adige/Sud Tirol Museumobil Card (also covers return train from Trento). Stunning inside and out with great descriptors of those famous medieval frescoes. The exhibition on Maximilian the First (until Jan'20) is outstanding. There's an original 'Weisskunig' novel on display plus 'The Book of Heroes'. Add, wonderful prints of this famous Habsburg, coinage showing just what a self image promoter he was and the famous Maximilian Armour. Brilliant curation ! Lovely coffee/snacks in the atmospheric courtyard and the great staff at the desk arranged the return shuttle. Perfect Saturday at Runkelstein.
3. Castel Flavon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
4. Castel Mareccio
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 55 reviews
The strategic fortress dating back to the beginning of the 13th century is characterized by large walls made of stones taken from the river and laid in horizontal layers. At the time it belonged to the Maretsch family, whose members achieved nobility in the second half of the 13th century.
Reviewed By ANGELOV230 - Milan, Italy
A castle located in the historic center of Bolzano, it was more of a residence rather than a defense construction, although it has a watch tower. The oldest part of the castle was built during the 13th century. It was then modified by members of the Römer family, who transformed it in a Renaissance castle between 1560 and 1570. Today the castle is a convention center, and it can be visited, unless there is some private event going on. The castle is small, with three round towers an one square watch tower. From the top ofvthe watch tower you have stunning views on the Alps. There are very steep stairs with narrow steps to the top of the watch tower, but the views you will have will pay for the uneasy climbing. The castle rooms have an incredible number of frescoes, sometimes in shades of grey ("grisaille technique"). What is also noticeable is that most of the frescoes have non-religious theme. The visit to the castle should take at least one hour - I only had 30 minutes before the closure, so I had to run through it. The castles closes for lunch, and reopens later. Better check beforehand if the castle is open for visits, or if it is closed and reserved for private events.
