Mareccio Castle, nestled in a picturesque landscape of vineyards near the historic centre of Bolzano in South Tyrol, was built in the twelfth century, although today's appearance recalls the homes of the sixteenth century. Carefully renovated in the eighties, its ancient frescoed rooms are today home to congresses, exhibitions and events. In addition, during the summer, numerous concerts of classical music and theatrical performances are organized in the courtyard of the castle.
The tower, the oldest part of Castel Mareccio, was built in 1194 by Berthold von Bozen, the first owner of the manor and patriarch of the Maretsch family. The owners alternated over the centuries, but it was with the Römer family, towards the middle of the 16th century, that Mareccio Castle underwent the remarkable transformations that made the original medieval construction, the Renaissance manor we see today. The four round towers and the frescoes inside the castle were the result of this fundamental intervention.
First passed in the hands of the Hendl family and the convent of Stams then, in the seventeenth century, Mareccio Castle in Bolzano became the property of the Thun family until 1851. For several decades it was used as a weapons depot, then became the seat of the State Archives and, finally, in the 80s it was bought by the tourist and tourism company of Bolzano.
Particularly impressive is the view of the castle from the Lungotalvera promenade, where the Talvera stream flows through Bolzano.
The magic square of Sartor at Mareccio Castle
On the second floor of the castle, accessible only with the guide, it is possible to admire the magic square of Sartor, the famous palindroma structure containing a sentence in Latin (SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS) that can be read in both directions. Its singular characteristic is that, being formed by five words of five letters each, it is possible to write it in a square of 5 x 5 boxes, inside which the sentence can be read in four possible directions: from right to left, and vice versa, or from top to bottom, and vice versa. The painting was placed in the tower in 1550, after a restructuring by the family in the room once used for the stay of the guards or the commander.
Guided tours and ticket
Visiting hours: 9 a.m.-12.45 p.m. (last entry 12 p.m.) and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (last entry 4.15 p.m.)
Office hours: Monday - Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The entrance fee is € 5.00.
How to get there and where to park
The castle is located in the historic centre of Bolzano and can be reached either on foot along the Lungotalvera promenade or by bike through the cycle path or by car. There is a large parking lot, adjacent to the Castle.
For further information
Castel Mareccio
Via Claudia de Medici, 12 - 39100 Bolzano
Tel. (+39) 0471 97 66 15
