Villach Castle, Villach, Austria - SpottingHistory.com

Villach castle was first mentioned in 1270 and built probably in 1233. There are still remains of original tower and north wall. The existing castle was built in the 16th century and remodelled several times after that. The chapel dates from the 14th century. Today there is a exhibition of archaeological foundings.

Castles and fortifications in Austria

User Reviews

Kyle Mika (7 months ago)
Great expierence. It might be hard to understand for others since it's all in German, but the show was spectacular and funny! I was here in 2011 and after 9 years, it still did not disappoint.

Marieke Hannen (8 months ago)
Entrance is cash only... So after 30 minutes in line you can turn back. Very corona unfriendly to handle all that cash. Plus it's 2020.. Come on. It would be nice to mention on your website that there's a additional parking fee plus cash needed.

Luke smolders (8 months ago)
There are no Corona / COVID 19 measurements in place! Way to much people can enter. The birds are in small cages. Atm this should be closed, in order to protect people's health. Pro's: show presenters are very enthousiastic.

Caroline Chevillotte (9 months ago)
Very interesting and informative experience! You can enjoy the beauty of eagles and falcons flying over the castle. The team is professional and you can feel they're very passionate about what they do. They share a lot of stories and information about birds, eagles and falconry. The money goes to the castle's animal clinic.

Bálint Sólyom (9 months ago)
Very unique experience - much more interesting than just seeing the birds in a zoo. The presenter is also good (it is in german of course). Seemed like the birds also enjoyed the play, so luckily not a circus-like thing.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright nikonaft

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Cesis Castle

German crusaders known as the Livonian Brothers of the Sword began construction of the Cēsis castle (Wenden) near the hill fort in 1209. When the castle was enlarged and fortified, it served as the residence for the Order's Master from 1237 till 1561, with periodic interruptions. Its ruins are some of the most majestic castle ruins in the Baltic states. Once the most important castle of the Livonian Order, it was the official residence for the masters of the order.

In 1577, during the Livonian War, the garrison destroyed the castle to prevent it from falling into the control of Ivan the Terrible, who was decisively defeated in the Battle of Wenden (1578).

In 1598 it was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Wenden Voivodship was created here. In 1620 Wenden was conquered by Sweden. It was rebuilt afterwards, but was destroyed again in 1703 during the Great Northern War by the Russian army and left in a ruined state. Already from the end of the 16th century, the premises of the Order's castle were adjusted to the requirements of the Cēsis Castle estate. When in 1777 the Cēsis Castle estate was obtained by Count Carl Sievers, he had his new residence house built on the site of the eastern block of the castle, joining its end wall with the fortification tower.

Since 1949, the Cēsis History Museum has been located in this New Castle of the Cēsis Castle estate. The front yard of the New Castle is enclosed by a granary and a stable-coach house, which now houses the Exhibition Hall of the Museum. Beside the granary there is the oldest brewery in Latvia, Cēsu alus darītava, which was built in 1878 during the later Count Sievers' time, but its origins date back to the period of the Livonian Order. Further on, the Cēsis Castle park is situated, which was laid out in 1812. The park has the romantic characteristic of that time, with its winding footpaths, exotic plants, and the waters of the pond reflecting the castle's ruins. Nowadays also one of the towers is open for tourists.

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