Ehrenberg Castle, Reutte, Austria

Built in 1296, Ehrenberg Castle offers everything you would expect from a medieval castle, defensive walls, tall towers and a lot of history. The gothic castle complex was home to emperors and kings, princes and tzars.

Ehrenberg was in the center of wartime battles several times. In 1546, the Protestant Schmalkalden occupied the fortress. In 1552, it was taken by the Elector Moritz of Saxony. In 1632 the Swedes stopped in front of its walls. In 1703, Ehrenberg fell into the hands of the Bavarians during the War of the Spanish Succession. From 1716 to 1717, Ehrenberg became the exile of Russian Tsarevich Alexei, who fled from his father, Tsar Peter the Great. Even in the Napoleonic Wars, it played a role. Beginning in 1971, Fridolin Schennach from Reutte took over the condemned ruin and initiated a rescue operation with numerous other idealists.

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In 2014, the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge was completed between the Ehrenberg Castle ruins and Fort Claudia, spanning the strategically important pass that these two structures were in part meant to guard. The length of the bridge 403 meters, with a height of 110 meters.

References:

ehrenberg.at

User Reviews

Carol Nye (2 years ago)
History, action, stunning views and playtime all in this one wonderful site. We took the tram to Ehrenberg castle ruins. Kids loved exploring it and the view was spectacular. Nice playground there too. Then suspension bridge, and another tram to top to area with some ruins and amazing views. ? A great day for our family.

Jason and Melanie Walsh (2 years ago)
Very interesting to visit such an old castle ruin. Beautiful views and nice to travel up by the cable car/lift and walk back down

Andrew C (2 years ago)
As a part of visiting the bridge, worth popping in for a look. When we were there (July 2023), the ruins were a mess, with construction garbage everywhere with little evidence of active restoration work.

Kevin Watts (2 years ago)
Awesome place to visit if you're into midevil places. It was started in 1296 and was added on over 300 years. The hike up was steep but short. If you're in shape, you can do it in 30 minutes. We hiked with 3 kids, youngest being 10, and made it in 45 minutes. They have a mountain lift you can ride up and down if you don't want to hike. There are 3 castles at the top of the mountains. 2 on one mountain and one on another that you can take the sky bridge to. The sky bridge is the longest in the world and was inducted into the genius world book of record in 2014. If heights are not your thing, you can walk down and back up the other mountain. Plan at minimum 2 hours to be there but 3 to 4 is more enjoyable. A lot of history in one place. Check prices on the website to see how you would like to go about it. They have a gift shop as well.

Judene H Huffman (2 years ago)
This is an amazing thing to see and do! Love the linear elevator ? we came in January so it was quite cold but the view was spectacular! I think the snow made it more beautiful. It was €5 to park, €7 each way (up and down) to ride the linear elevator and I think it was €8 to go on the suspension bridge. We didn't go on the suspension bridge. You can skip the linear elevator ride and walk up to the castle for free if you choose. We enjoyed every second of our time here.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Christian Lauw

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Ehrenberg Castle

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