Castles in Scania
Hanaskog Castle
Hanaskog estate was first mentioned in 1308. It has been owned among others by Walkendorff, Citzwitz and Rosentvist families. The current two-storey castle was built in 1852-1854 by Carl Axel Wachtmeister. He sold Hanaskog to famous De Geer familyin 1891 and it is still owned by Baron Willem De Geer.Jordberga Castle
Jordberga estate was first mentionedin 1355. The original castle was destroyed by fire in 1644 and rebuilt. The current Baroque-style exterior dates from 1906-1908, when the castle was rebuilt according the design of Danish architect Heneri Glaesel. The park is an English-style garden and dates from the mid-19th century. Today castle is owned by Otto von Arnold, member of the Swedish Riksdag.Karsholm Castle
Karsholm Castle was first time mentioned in 1336. The current exterior originates from 1862, when the castle was reconstructed to the neo-Renaissance style by Rudolf Hodder Stjernswärd. Today the castle is owned by Treschow family and in private use.Klågerup Castle
The history of Klågerup estate dates from the early 15th century, when it was owned by Peter Spoldener and his son. In the 18th century buildings were in bad shape and in 1737 Fredrik Trolle started an extensive restoration. The present main building got its appearance in 1858, when it was rebuilt to the French Renaissance style by architect Helgo Zettervall. Klågerup was a center of local peasant riots in 181 ...Rosendal Palace
Rosendal Palace was built 1615 by Privy Council Anders Bille. The Bennet family has owned the palace for centuries. The castle consists of main building and wings with towers in corners.Råbelöv Castle
The oldest known owner of Råbelöv estate was Ingeborg Kjeldsen Krognos, who was born in the mid-1300s. In the 1616 it was sold to Christoffer Ulfeldt, who built the current castle in 1637. During the Scanian War in 1677 Råbelöv was fortified by the order of Danish Crown against Swedish forces. After several owners Råbelöv belongs today to Murray family and is in private use.Ovesholm Castle
The first known owner of Ovesholm estate was Åke Holm in 1580. In 1620 Ove Urup built an earlier main building near to the current site. In 1774 it was donated to Henning Reinhold Wrangel and his son Carl Adam Wrangel af Adinal built the present castle between 1792-1804. Carl Adam also created a notable library and collection of art and sculptures to Ovesholm. The latest enlargement was made by Axel Hugo Raoul Hamil ...Össjö Castle
The current main building of Össjö Castle was built in 1814 after the previous was destroyed by fire. The two wings, dating from 1766 and 1770s survived from the fire. The Össjö history dates from the 16th century, when it belonged to the powerful Danish Krabbe family. Today it is privately owned and not open to the public.Osbyholm Castle
The farm Ousbygård was first mentioned in 1405, but the current Osbyholm castle was built in the first half of the 17th century by Lene Ramel. The square-formed castle is surrounded by a moat and there is a rare octagonal tower, which dates from the 1570s. The castle was damaged in the Scanian War (1675-1679). Captain Georg Christian Cook started the major restoration in 1750s. The castle was enlarged and the inter ...Rössjöholm Castle
The first known owner of Rössjöholm castle was Danish knight Olof Geed around the year 1500. Later it was owned for example by Leijonsköld, Silfverskiöld, Sjöcrona families. The first strong castle was built in 1553 and it had even seven towers. The castle was destroyed by Swedish forces in 1676, but some ruins of this castle still remains. The new main building was built in 1696, but it was destr ...Skabersjö Castle
Skabersjö Castle was already known in the 14th century, when it was a residence of Passow and Ulfstrand families. The old moated castle was burned down in 1523 and rebuilt by Holger Ulfstand. The current castle, which consists of two-storey main building and two wings, dates mainly from the 18th century. Governor Tage Thott made an extensive restoration in 1775-1782. Today the castle is owned by Skabersjö gods AB founda ...Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
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Hochosterwitz Castle
Hochosterwitz Castle is considered to be one of Austria's most impressive medieval castles. The rock castle is one of the state's landmarks and a major tourist attraction.
The site was first mentioned in an 860 deed issued by King Louis the German of East Francia, donating several of his properties in the former Principality of Carantania to the Archdiocese of Salzburg. In the 11th century Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg ceded the castle to the Dukes of Carinthia from the noble House of Sponheim in return for their support during the Investiture Controversy. The Sponheim dukes bestowed the fiefdom upon the family of Osterwitz, who held the hereditary office of the cup-bearer in 1209.
In the 15th century, the last Carinthian cup-bearer, Georg of Osterwitz was captured in a Turkish invasion and died in 1476 in prison without leaving descendants. So after four centuries, on 30 May 1478, the possession of the castle reverted to Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg.
Over the next 30 years, the castle was badly damaged by numerous Turkish campaigns. On 5 October 1509, Emperor Maximilian I handed the castle as a pledge to Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg, then Bishop of Gurk. Bishop Lang undertook a substantial renovation project for the damaged castle.
About 1541, German king Ferdinand I of Habsburg bestowed Hochosterwitz upon the Carinthian governor Christof Khevenhüller. In 1571, Baron George Khevenhüller acquired the citadel by purchase. He fortified to deal with the threat of Turkish invasions of the region, building an armory and 14 gates between 1570 and 1586. Such massive fortification is considered unique in citadel construction.
Since the 16th century, no major changes have been made to Hochosterwitz. It has also remained in the possession of the Khevenhüller family as requested by the original builder, George Khevenhüller. A marble plaque dating from 1576 in the castle yard documents this request.
A specific feature is the access way to the castle passing through a total of 14 gates, which are particularly prominent owing to the castle's situation in the landscape. Tourists are allowed to walk the 620-metre long pathway through the gates up to the castle; each gate has a diagram of the defense mechanism used to seal that particular gate. The castle rooms hold a collection of prehistoric artifacts, paintings, weapons, and armor, including one set of armor 2.4 metres tall, once worn by Burghauptmann Schenk.