schloss runkelstein bozen
schloss runkelstein bozen

Roncolo Castle

Roncolo Castle, which is also known as “Illustrated Castle”, rises on a porphyry rock high above the roofs of Bolzano

The Mediaeval castle is located on a protected porphyry rock on the outskirts of Bolzano, along the Val Sarentino Road between the quarters of Centro-Piani and Castel Novale or Sill, which is already part of the Renon. Roncolo Castle is particularly famous due to its mundane fresco cycle, one of the largest profane fresco cycles dating back to Mediaeval times. It illustrates authentic knight sagas, literature scenes, court ladies and life on the farm as well as hunting scenes. Furthermore, the castle serves as a backdrop for events such as the summer concerts in the courtyard or the open-air theatre performances. In the courtyard there's also a castle tavern.

In 1237, the original complex was built by the Lords of Wangen, and in 1385 the merchants Franz and Niklaus Vintler purchased it. This family had it decorated with frescoes and equipped with components that facilitated life in those times, e.g. a pivy and a cistern for water storage. From the 15th century on, it continually kept changing hands, the castle was repeatedly modified and frescoes and paintings were added. A gunpowder explosion in the southern part of the castle destroyed parts of it in 1520, and from the 18th century on it kept deteriorating.

Only when Josef con Görres recognised the value of the frescoes and reported it to Ludwig I of Bavaria, architects and artists started examining the paintings. Soon after, parts of the north wall collapsed and destroyed great parts of the frescoes. In 1883, Franz Joseph I of Austria received Roncolo Castle as donation from Archduke Johann Salvator of Austria, ad solemnly donated it to the citizens of Bolzano in 1893. And how to reach Roncolo or Runkelstein Castle? From the parking space beneath it, a paved path leads in a few minutes to the castle. Furthermore, it is one of the stations along the Castle Path "Castelronda", which connects five interesting castles.

Contact info

Opening times

  • Thu 28 Mar 10:00 - 18:00
  • Fri 29 Mar 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sat 30 Mar 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sun 31 Mar 10:00 - 18:00
  • Mon 01 Apr 10:00 - 18:00
  • Tue 02 Apr 10:00 - 18:00
  • Wed 03 Apr 10:00 - 18:00

Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Full timetables
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Spring 2024 (16/03/2024 - 02/06/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 18:00
  • Wed 10:00 - 18:00
  • Thu 10:00 - 18:00
  • Fri 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sat 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Easter 2024 (31/03/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Easter Monday 2024 (01/04/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Liberation Day 2024 (25/04/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Labor Day 2024 (01/05/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Whit Monday 2024 (20/05/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Republic Day 2024 (02/06/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Summer 2024 (04/06/2024 - 08/09/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 18:00
  • Wed 10:00 - 18:00
  • Thu 10:00 - 18:00
  • Fri 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sat 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Feast of the Assumption 2024 (15/08/2024) 10:00 - 18:00

Autumn 2024 (10/09/2024 - 31/10/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 18:00
  • Wed 10:00 - 18:00
  • Thu 10:00 - 18:00
  • Fri 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sat 10:00 - 18:00
  • Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Late autumn 2024 (01/11/2024 - 30/11/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 17:00
  • Wed 10:00 - 17:00
  • Thu 10:00 - 17:00
  • Fri 10:00 - 17:00
  • Sat 10:00 - 17:00
  • Sun 10:00 - 17:00

All Saints 2024 (01/11/2024) 10:00 - 17:00

Admission

€ 10.00 adults
€ 7.00 students
€ 7.00 seniors 65+
€ 7.00 people with disabilities
€ 7.00 groups (more than 10 persons)
€ 3.00 school classes (per person)

€ 20.00 family ticket (2 adults with 2 children)

guided tours:
€ 3.00 per person
€ 20.00 per school class

More information

Roncolo Castle is accessible from the Piazza Walther square by bus no. 12 on weekdays and no. 14 on Sundays and public holidays (stop at the old San Genesio Cable Car). From the bus stop resp. the parking space at the foot of the hill, the ascent to the castle requires 5-10 minutes by foot.

The castle stays open all year round, closed on Mondays (except on Easter Monday, Whit Monday).

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