Oft described as the most beautiful castle in South Tyrol, Schloss (Castle) Wolfsthurn was high on our list during our recent South Tyrol trip, given that it was a mere stones throw from our base in Vipiteno.
It’s also home to the South Tyrolean Museum of Hunting & Fishing, which forms part of a trio of regional museums along with the South Tyrolean Wine Museum and The South Tyrolean Folklore Museum (which we will just have to save for another visit).
Although the theme of this particular museum might not sound all that inviting, this Baroque castle enticed us from afar, perched high upon the most picturesque hillside above Mareit. You could actually visit for the stunningly restored Baroque rooms alone (it’s not that often that you visit a place with 365 windows after all is it? As many days of the year was a theme apparently popular at the time!), and bypass all of the hunting and fishing themed stuff and still get a sense of a day well spent – but the rooms we did visit covered such topics tastefully, and were much more about the history of alpine traditions in this area than modern-day hunting and the like.
Watch out for the figure of a man covered in bird cages. We couldn’t work out whether he was a hunter, or a seller or he just liked to take his pets out with him (or indeed all of the above!) – he just didn’t look all that comfortable.
It’s not all about the hunting and catching of creatures here either, there are various dioramas where you can learn all about local wildlife that were quite interesting. Whilst Mr R closely inspected the ancient fishing flies on display in one room, we learned about the varieties of fish that frequent the crystal clear rivers nearby – and secretly I thought there were worse places to be a fish, even if you do get hauled out and cooked before your prime!
We also met the two bears and completed that story line (see picture at the top!), said hello to a former wolf (with no sign of Red Riding Hood in the vicinity), and whilst the smallest member of our party enjoyed the various textures of the castle floor for a quick “car adventure” or two (there’s always a car or three in the bottom of my handbag nowadays!), I spent a very happy ten minutes gazing out upon the most magnificent view from a window I think I have ever seen in my entire life.
This particular view can’t really have changed much since it was built in the 13th century as a home to the officials to the Counts of Tyrol (the castle went to the present owners – the Von Sternbach’s in the 18th century)… It’s also home to the most exquisite Baroque ballroom, described by the small girl as like a giant beautiful fondant fancy – and I could kind of see what she meant…
The castle is also absolutely crammed to the rafters with art and furniture that carry a hunting theme, which makes for more than a few weird and wonderful paintings and exhibits, like a room filled entirely with furniture made from giant antlers. Give the room’s occupants a few drinks, and it’s entirely possible that the creatures that once owned the antlers could get their own back with the amount of sharp pointy bits going on!
The antler theme continued down to the depths of the castle cellar, where alongside a game that tests your knowledge on local wildlife (and Deutsch – it’s sadly not in English, but you can well get the gist without it!), another room is completely devoted to a kind of giant Antler jigsaw – charting the various growth stages throughout the life of a deer, complete with lights that pop up to tell you whether you are correct or not! I can easily say I don’t think we will ever find another puzzle quite like it!
I have to say though that by far my most favourite aspect of Castle Wolfsthurn has to be outside on the Wald und Wasser (forest and water) trail, in the depths of the forest far beneath the castle (it’s also surprisingly pram friendly!), which you could choose to visit for free entirely separately should you wish.
This stunning trail teaches children about the flora and fauna of the region far more than any museum exhibit, by them actually being in the environment.
The 1km trail (which you could extend yourselves!) includes such delights as the giant tree telephone (explaining how sound can travel through tree trunks), stepping-stones in the middle of an alpine stream, amazing listening points (which I will admit to thinking were alpine toilet cubicles at first), where you could hear what it sounds like inside the heart of a tree, or listen to the water running deep beneath the ground in another. We also bravely inspected the wolf pit (which was empty thankfully – but it’s a species making a return to these parts!), and had a go in the long jump pit that taught us how far forest creatures can jump.
This was the perfect place to let off a bit of steam after a museum visit, and also ended up being a highlight of our entire trip.
We can recommend the pizzas in the little restaurant near the car park, and you must peep inside the ancient chapel opposite if you have time!
All in all a real must visit…
Castle Wolfsthurn (also known as Schloss Wolfsthurn or Castel Mareta in Italian), Kirchdorf 25, 39040, Ratschings/Mareit
Email: jagdmuseum@landesmuseen.it
Open from Tues-Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday & Holidays 1-5pm
Longing to visit Tyrol! It’s all so very gothic! #CULTUREDKIDS
It really is! Thanks Scarlett!
What a marvellous place! A museum of hunting and fishing sounds quite dry but this looks like it combines architecture, craft, history, stunning views and the outdoors perfectly. I hope we can visit one day #culturedkids
Definitely one you would appreciate I think! :) Thanks Vyki!
interesting combination of a museum and forest
It really is! Thanks Tanja! :)
I love this combo of museum and woodland walk and all the clever additions to the trail. It’s really made me want to visit the Tyrol. The man with birdcages reminds me of an illustration in a story when i was a child – fairytale maybe, or fable?
Maybe the bird catcher from the Magic Flute? Tyrol really is a beautiful part of the world, I could easily live there! :) Thank you! x
Love the outdoor and indoor elements of this visit. Plenty to explore and keep everyone interested #CulturedKids
Definitely something for everyone! Thanks Nicky! :)
I love a museum and it’s interactive elements but you are right that nothing beats the outdoors #CulturedKids
It really doesn’t! Thanks Helena! :)
This is truly magnificent! What an amazing place, from the birdcages and bears right onwards. Would love to see it for myself, and also hear it (those listening points sound fab too).
#culturedkids
Thank you Sarah! I think your gang would enjoy it! :)
I would absolutely LOVE to visit Castle Wolfshurn, theres so much to see! xxx
There really is! Thanks Laura! :)
It sounds like an interesting place to visit. I like that they tastefully displayed their exhibits and focused on traditional cultures and the wildlife in the area – that’s a really clever way of sharing the history!
Not a subject matter I would seek out exclusively, I just wanted to see the inside of the castle! :D Thanks Rachael! :)
“Giant beautiful fondant fancy”… I pretty much love that phrase. It’s so creative. And also having boys, I feel like anywhere is a perfect place for a car adventure. My middle child loves all things cars. #CulturedKids
Thanks so much Allison! My youngest is definitely car mad! :) x
Beautiful photos! The museum sounds very interesting and would make a great day out.
Thank you Telina! (:
What a great place. So many interesting exhibits and the outside is stunning.
Thanks Kate, the outside was my favourite part by far! :)
Gosh, I never thought I’d see an antler chair! The castle sounds fascinating but I’m sure the woodland walk and telephone tree would have been highlights for my girls! #CulturedKids
Definite highlights for mine too! Thanks Claire! :) x
Isn’t it great when you can pair a bit of outdoor exploring with a museum? Always makes for a nice balance. #culturedkids
The perfect balance! Thanks Jenny! (: x
The castle looks so medieval and lots of interesting thing to look at, and I love how green the place looks. Fab holiday indeed.
Thank you. It’s such a beautiful place!
This looks like a brilliant place to explore with kids, so many weird and wonderful artefacts. I love the man with the cages! The walking trail looks lovely too. #Culturedkids
Thanks Annabel, he’s got to have a bad back after that though don’t you think? :D x
Gosh I love everything about this crazy, quirky place, especially the outdoor trail for wild kids to enjoy and the view from that window! Some real brainpower has gone into this museum by the sound of it. Haven’t visited the Tyrol since my teens but this is now high on the list for when we go. A great family day out #CulturedKids
Thanks so much Lucy, it’s a great place for a family holiday. :)
This sounds perfect, interesting stuff, fondant fancy rooms and nature. The picture of the man with the cages put me in mind of the Vogelfänger in the Magic Flute, I half expect him to start singing “ein vogelfänger bin ich ja”. #CulturedKids
I know what you mean exactly! Thank you! x
This castle sounds fascinating – the pointy antlers everywhere, dioramas, the fondant fancy ballroom. Like you, I’m loving the views and the outside trail. Just beautiful.
#culturedkids
The views were so incredible! Thank you x
This looks like such a fantastic place to visit as a family. So much to see, do and explore
It really was a great family day out! Thanks Rebecca! x
I have not heard of this place before but it looks stunning, such an interesting place to visit
It’s really interesting! Thanks Kara! :)
WOW what an amazing castle to get to go and explore. I love getting to see such places myself it is amazing all the different things you can spot in such buildings.
Definitely! Thanks Sarah. x
The castle looks really interesting, but the forest definitely looks more of a draw to me. Although that view from the window really is breathtaking.
I think it was our favourite part too. Thanks Nicola!
Oh I love that first photo with the bears…he looks very enthralled by it all Emma :)
He was quite worried they were still alive I think! :D Thank you x