Kaja Castle Ruins, Hardegg, Austria

Kaja Castle was first mentioned in 1196. In the late 14th century it was conquered by robber barons Johann and Heinrich Leipa who spread the terror in the surrounding villages. The castle was again conquered by Hussites in 1425-1427. Later Kaja castle fell on decay, today it stands partly restored.

User Reviews

Andreea Grigore (11 months ago)
Relaxing area since there are hiking trails through the forest. The castle contains interesting old things. Free parking place.

Ela (12 months ago)
Insider tip Unfortunately only open on weekends

Καρελ Μπιαλεκ (2 years ago)
The ruin of castle Kaya are beautiful trip for one day. Open is every weekend. Around the castle are also trails for tourists.

Jakub Ctvrtnicek (2 years ago)
Seems like cool place but always when we come it's closed

günter niedrig (3 years ago)
SchöneRuine mit alter Radiosammlung und vielen alten Kupfer.-und Holzstichen! Leider jetzt in Winterpause.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Monceau

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Kisimul Castle

Dating from the 15th century, Kisimul is the only significant surviving medieval castle in the Outer Hebrides. It was the residence of the chief of the Macneils of Barra, who claimed descent from the legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages. Tradition tells of the Macneils settling in Barra in the 11th century, but it was only in 1427 that Gilleonan Macneil comes on record as the first lord. He probably built the castle that dominates the rocky islet, and in its shadow a crew house for his personal galley and crew. The sea coursed through Macneil veins, and a descendant, Ruari ‘the Turbulent’, was arrested for piracy of an English ship during King James VI’s reign in the later 16th century.

Heavy debts eventually forced the Macneil chiefs to sell Barra in 1838. However, a descendant, Robert Lister Macneil, the 45th Chief, repurchased the estate in 1937, and set about restoring his ancestral seat. It passed into Historic Scotland’s care in 2000.

The castle dates essentially from the 15th century. It takes the form of a three-storey tower house. This formed the residence of the clan chief. An associated curtain wall fringed the small rock on which the castle stood, and enclosed a small courtyard in which there are ancillary buildings. These comprised a feasting hall, a chapel, a tanist’s house and a watchman’s house. Most were restored in the 20th century, the tanist’s house serving as the family home of the Macneils. A well near the postern gate is fed with fresh water from an underground seam. Outside the curtain wall, beside the original landing-place, are the foundations of the crew house, where the sailors manning their chief’s galley had their quarters.

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