South Tyrol’s only baroque castle, home to the Museum of Hunting and Fishing, towers over Mareta at the entrance to the Val Ridanna
Image gallery: Mareta
365 windows, 52 doors, 12 chimneys and 4 large gates: The architecture of Wolfsthurn Castle reflects the days, weeks, months and seasons of the year. This pale pink castle defines the image of the small village at the entrance to the Val Ridanna in the Upper Valle Isarco. Mareta (Mareit) itself, with its handful of houses, grocery shop and café, spreads out at its feet.
Mareta is the most populous hamlet in the municipality of Racines. From the small village centre, the short "Forest and Water" hiking trail leads to the eastern entrance of the castle. The first floor is home to the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting and Fishing, which gives special attention to folk art. The second floor is dedicated to the castle's history. The state rooms are also impressive, richly decorated with carpets, tapestry, chandeliers and pastel-coloured stucco.
In the artisan area, there are gemstones and crystals to admire: Across a 400 sqm retail space, the Zössmayr gemstone cutters demonstrate how they create pendants and other jewellery. For those looking to be active, Mareta is an ideal base. The hike along the "Obere Erzstrasse" path, the Upper Ore Path, where the conveyor system for the Monteneve Mine once operated, begins here.
The cycle path along the Rio di Mareta, which takes you all the way to Vipiteno, also starts in the village. The playground in Mareta is a pleasant spot and a popular meeting place for children and parents. In winter, you can skate on the natural ice rink or explore the quiet winter landscape on the network of cross-country ski trails, which extends for 40 kilometres throughout the valley.
