Maretsch Castle, Medieval castle in Bolzano, Italy.
Maretsch Castle is a medieval fortress in Bolzano built with stone walls, narrow windows, and four towers rising from the central structure. A courtyard in the middle is surrounded by these towers, forming the heart of the complex.
The castle was founded in 1275 by the Maretsch family and later substantially renewed by the Römer family in the 16th century. This transformation brought Renaissance elegance to the older structure.
The rooms display elaborate frescoes from the 16th century showing biblical scenes and human virtues painted on the walls. These artworks reflect the tastes and values of the wealthy families who lived here during the Renaissance.
The building is located on Via Claudia de Medici and now serves as an events venue with guided tours available by arrangement. It helps to contact ahead to find out when visits are possible.
Unlike other fortifications in South Tyrol built on hillsides, this castle stood in the lowlands and was long protected by a defensive moat. This moat was filled in around 1650, showing how the location's defense strategy changed over time.
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