A wonderful castle rises in the green near the old town of Bolzano: Mareccio. Already in the 12th century, the field name "Moretes" appears which gave its name to the castle - built later on - and the noble family of its first owners. In the 13th century, only a massive donjon stood amidst vineyards which was enlarged later on by a curtain wall with wall-walk and crenellations. In 1431, the property was nominated as "Maretsch bey Botzen". The present appearance with the round towers dates back to the 16th century and the modifications carried out by the Römer family.

The frescoes from the Renaissance period illustrate philosophers of former times and bear witness of the high educational levels of commissioners. Even a castle moat, filled with water, still existed in 1650. Between 1921 and 1978, Mareccio Castle (Schloss Maretsch, in German) housed the Bolzano National Archives before it was declared dilapidated. In the 1980s, the complex was carefully restored by the present owner, the Bolzano Tourist Board. Today it serves as a beautiful venue for fairs, concerts and private celebrations. If there aren’t any events, Mareccio Castle can be visited.