Castles and fortifications in Austria
Rothenthurn Castle
Rothenthurn ('red tower') castle may have existed since the 11th century. It was an estate of the Counts of Ortenburg and their successors, the Counts of Celje. A castle is documented in 1478, when the area was held by the Meinhardiner House of Gorizia. The present-day Renaissance building with its chapel was erected from the early 16th onwards, it was acquired by Christoph Khevenhüller about 1525 and after ...
Founded: 11th century |
Location:
Spittal an der Drau, Austria
Wasserburg Castle
The oldest historical documents of Wasserburg castle dates back to 1185. The aristocrat Dietmar von Wasserburg was the first noted owner of the estate. Until the 13th century wasserburg remained in the possession of the von Wasserburg line the most notable member being Heinrich von Wasserburg who was the brother in law of the famouse minnesinger Ulirch von Lichtenstein. Legend says that von Lichtenstein took a leading rol ...
Founded: c. 1185 |
Location:
Sankt Pölten, Austria
Hohenwang Castle
Hohenwang castle dates back to the 12th century and was one of the most important medieval fortifications that time. It is exceptional long structure and one the largest castles in Styria. It consists of the stronghold and two outworks, which are separated by trenches. Their massive decline began in the late 18th century, after it was severely damaged by an earthquake. During World War II more parts of the ruins were dest ...
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Langenwang, Austria
Neuberg Castle
Neuberg Castle in Hartberg is one of the most important preserved castle of Styria. The medieval hilltop castle was built in the 12th century by Gottschalk Schirling as a border castle against the Hungarian armies. It belonged to the Herberstein family until the late 1900s. The square tower is the oldest part of the castle, dating from c. 1160. The finely decorated Renaissance ballroom dates from the 16th century. The ch ...
Founded: c. 1160 |
Location:
Hartberg, Austria
Bidenegg Castle
Bidenegg castle in Fliess was mentioned for the first time in 1339 AD. It was acquired in 1546 by Hans Trautson. The complex was rebuilt in the 16th century, and still retains its appearance. Bidenegg is not open to the public.
Founded: 14th century |
Location:
Flies, Austria
Lichtenwerth Castle
Lichtenwerth castle was probably once on an island, today on lowland. It was probably built in the 12th century. The first documentary mention was made in 1212. The keep and three-storey main building were renewed in the 18th century. The vaulted kitchen is original and well preserved. The Baroque castle theater dates from 1765 and castle chapel from 1766. Today Lichtenwerth is privately owned and not open to the public.
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Münster, Austria
Neuhaus Castle
Neuhaus castle dates probably back to the 13th century. It may have been built on the site of earlier 12th century fortified house. The pentagonal tower was added in the 14th century and the castle was rebuilt during the 16th century. The traffic on the Danube has been able to deny with chain from the chain tower, located below the castle. Neuhaus was besieged at least in 1381, 1386 and 1389.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Neuhaus an der Donau, Austria
Vichtenstein Castle
The Vichtenstein castle sits above the Danube valley opposite to the market municipality of Upper Cell (Lower Bavaria). The castle is in the centre of the municipality Vichtenstein. There is no documentary for the construction of the castle but it is believed to have been started around the year 1100. The castle was an administrative centre of the Bishopric of Passau and in the 14th century it was mortgaged several times ...
Founded: c. 1100 |
Location:
Vichtenstein, Austria