Runkelstein Castle

Perched on a rock above the entrance to the Sarntal valley, on the northern edge of Bolzano, stands the 13th-century Runkelstein Castle. Its greatest treasure is a cycle of frescoes from the late 14th century — one of the largest surviving cycles of secular medieval frescoes in existence — depicting knightly tournaments, hunting, dancing, and heroes from medieval tales, portrayed as the nobility imagined its ideal life. The castle is easily reached from the city centre by a pleasant walk along the Talfer river.