Südtiroler Landesmuseum für Jagd und Fischerei

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Wolfsthurn Castle stands above Mareta, in the Ridanna Valley. In the 18th century Franz Andrä von Sternbach bought the estate and had the Baroque palace built there between 1727 and 1741; according to tradition it has 365 windows, 52 doors, 12 chimneys and four portals, referring to the days, weeks, months and seasons. The building is still owned by the family. In the 19th century the historian Tinkhauser described it as the most beautiful castle in Tyrol.

Since 1996 the castle has housed the Provincial Museum of Hunting and Fishing. On the second floor the reception rooms can be visited, preserved with their original furnishings from the 18th and 19th centuries, with fabric wall coverings and wallpapers.

On the first floor the cultural history of hunting and fishing is told through dioramas of local wildlife, folk art objects connected with hunting (powder horns, game bags, snuff boxes), the history of fishing in South Tyrol, dioramas of fish and the fly-fishing collection “Rudolf Reichel”. In the basement three learning rooms invite children to discover animals through play. From the village of Mareta, a themed route of about one kilometre, “Wald und Wasser”, leads up to the castle.

Highlights

• Baroque reception rooms with original furnishings
• Dioramas of Alpine wildlife
• History of fishing in South Tyrol and the “Rudolf Reichel” collection
• Folk art objects connected with hunting
• Learning rooms for children
• “Wald und Wasser” themed route up to the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Sale di rappresentanza barocche – On the second floor the original 18th- and 19th-century rooms show noble life, with fabric wall coverings.
• Storia culturale della caccia e della pesca – On the first floor: dioramas of local wildlife, folk art objects connected with hunting, the history of fishing in South Tyrol and the “Rudolf Reichel” collection.
• Sale per bambini – Three learning rooms in the basement, where children can discover mountain animals through play.

Founded

1996

Admission & discounts

Free admission for journalists who register at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle and museum area are accessible to people with mobility impairments and to wheelchair users: by calling ahead on +39 0472 062 930, the rear entrance, closed to other visitors, can be opened so that you can drive up to the castle. A lift serves every floor. Detailed information is available on “Südtirol für alle”.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Three learning rooms in the basement let children recognise animal calls and tracks, explore a bear’s den, sort deer antlers and imitate the howl of a wolf. There is a baby-changing facility in the castle, and the “Wald und Wasser” path can be walked with a pushchair. Specific programmes are available for schools.

Getting there & parking

From the Vipiteno motorway exit follow the direction Val Ridanna to Mareta; from Merano, go via the Passo del Giovo. By bicycle you can use the Josef-Larch cycle path along the Mareta stream. The “Wald und Wasser” themed route starts at the parish church of Mareta and takes about one kilometre.

Amenities & dining

Self-guided visits use audio stations activated by QR code (a smartphone and headphones are needed). Dogs are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit