Schloss Runkelstein / Castel Roncolo

Runkelstein was probably built at the beginning of the 13th century by the brothers Friedrich and Beral von Wangen, who belonged to the political entourage of the Prince-Bishop of Trento. Runkelstein was of some strategic importance, as it allowed the control of the traffic routes from Bozen through the Sarntal towards the north. When the Wangen family became involved in the disputes between the Bishop of Trento and Count Meinhard of Tyrol, the castle was besieged and conquered by a count's army in 1277. Runkelstein was heavily damaged in the process.

The lords of Wangen lost their property, and Runkelstein was successively given as a fief to various followers of the Tyrolean princes. Some of them made significant structural changes to the castle. In 1385, the brothers Franz and Niklaus Vintler acquired the castle, wealthy merchants from Bozen who were among the closest followers of the - now Habsburg - Prince Leopold III.

The Vintler family had the castle decorated splendidly and luxuriously. In addition to a modern bathing and toilet facility and a cistern for the time, it is above all the rich frescoes that make Runkelstein so famous and worth seeing. From about 1388 to 1410, the largest secular fresco cycle of the Middle Ages in Europe was created here. The paintings in the palace and in the summer house, which is also adorned with frescoes on the outside, show hunting and tournament scenes, as well as depictions from the Bible, mythology, legends, and literature. King Arthur can be seen, as well as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, King David, Siegfried, or Tristan and Isolde.

After the Vintlers lost their influence in the 15th century, Runkelstein passed to Duke Sigmund the Münzreichen and subsequently to Emperor Maximilian I, who resided at Runkelstein for a time. Maximilian had the frescoes renewed in the style of the time. Under later owners, Runkelstein gradually fell into disrepair, and a gunpowder explosion and a fire contributed to its decline.

In 1881, Runkelstein was finally "discovered" by Archduke Johann Salvator, purchased, and given to Emperor Franz Joseph. In the following years, the castle and frescoes were restored by the Viennese cathedral master builder Friedrich von Schmidt. In 1893, the municipality of Bozen received Runkelstein as a gift and still owns the castle today. Runkelstein and its frescoes are accessible to visitors, and exhibitions and concerts regularly take place. The summer concert series in the castle courtyard is particularly atmospheric. Runkelstein can be easily reached from Bozen via the Talfer promenade or with bus line 12.