Bolzano with Children: Stories, Science, and Fun

The city is a true treasure chest waiting to be discovered by younger visitors. There is something for every taste: mummies and prehistoric villages, princes and princesses, fantastic creatures, science, nature and plenty of fun. If children would like to take a journey into the past and feel, for a few hours, like a knight or a lady of the medieval era, a visit to Runkelstein Castle is a must. It can be reached in just a few minutes from the Talvera promenade. Perched on a rocky spur, the manor houses wonderful medieval frescoes depicting chivalric scenes and legendary tales, including those of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or Tristan and Isolde. A special audio guide for children accompanies them on an engaging journey through the history of the castle, where they will meet the Vintler family, who once owned it, King Arthur, giants and fantastic creatures. A cat, a dragon and a unicorn explain everyday life in castles, fashion, tournaments, medieval legends and curiosities, as well as the special connection between Runkelstein and the history of the city of Bolzano. The new permanent exhibition, inaugurated last year to mark the 25th anniversary of the castle’s reopening, offers activities for both adults and children, with musical stations and animations that bring the frescoed walls to life.

Another medieval building, this time located in the heart of the city, houses the South Tyrol Museum of Natural Sciences. The palace was once the urban residence of Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg and today tells the natural history of the region through a fascinating exhibition path that includes a living ant colony and a 9,000-litre coral reef aquarium – offering a glimpse of what the Dolomites may have looked like around 230 million years ago. For children and families, however, the offer goes far beyond the exhibition itself. The museum proposes a rich programme of activities to suit all interests: guided tours that begin when the doors close and the lights go out, exploring everything that glows in the dark, as well as the possibility of spending an entire night at the museum with exciting activities and the opportunity to sleep together at the foot of the large aquarium. For the bravest, there are also thrills to be had: if spiders, skeletons and bats make your skin crawl, this is the place for you. The museum’s guides welcome children for a special afternoon filled with stories and curiosities from the world of the most frightening animals. In addition, there are lectures, excursions and creative workshops… The programme is constantly updated and available on the website www.museonatura.it.

For budding scientists, or simply for curious children and teenagers eager to discover more, there is another place to explore: NOI Techpark. At the MiniNOI Science Club, various workshops are organised on selected Saturdays, during which children and teenagers engage in research, construction, programming and discovery. On 9 May, children aged 7 to 9 will be able to take part in a robotics workshop, while on Saturday 16 May, young people aged 10 to 14 can join a LEGO® challenge where they will design and build a LEGO® robot – an opportunity to experiment with mechanical, electronic and programming skills.

Image: Runkelstein Castle, Courtesy Runkelstein Castle