Wolfsthurn Castle

Above the small village of Mareta in the Upper Valle Isarco is the magnificent building of Wolfsthurn Castle, or Mareta Castle - "Schloss Mareit" in German, "Castello di Mareta" in Italian -, the only Baroque castle in South Tyrol. Its history dates back to a tower in the 12th century - today the building is widely known as the seat of the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing. A curiosity: With its 365 windows, 52 doors, 12 fireplaces and four portals, the castle reminds of the days, weeks, months and seasons of the year.

While the other floors tell about the history of hunting and fishing in South Tyrol, the second floor is dedicated to the castle itself and the history of the von Wolfsthurn family. Here you can see the state apartments, which have been preserved in their original condition and tell of the aristocratic life of the 18th and 19th century. Outside, the brightly plastered building is characterised by triangular gables and curved roofs: Its present form dates back to the 18th century. The main wing and the Cavalier House opposite enclose an inner courtyard with a fountain.

Wolfsthurn Castle is in the hands of the von Sternbach family, who own several estates in South Tyrol. Another castle of the same name, which is not connected to Wolfsthurn Castle, can also be found at Andriano near Bolzano. And how to reach Wolfsthurn Castle? In Mareta below the castle hill there are parking facilities. The 1 km long "Forest and Water" hiking path leads you from the parish church to the eastern entrance of the building.