Hochosterwitz Castle (Burg Hochosterwitz) stands on a 170-metre-high Dolomite rock near St. Georgen am Längsee. In earlier times, no less than 14 gates protected the castle top from intruders.
Category: Castles
Velenje Castle in Velenje
Velenje Castle (Velenjski grad) is a well-preserved castle high over the Slovenian city of Velenje. It offers an interesting museum inside. For example, you see the reconstruction of an old grocery shop and the remains of two mastodons.
Neuenburg Castle high over Freyburg (Unstrut)
Neuenburg Castle (Schloss Neuenburg) located in the wine-growing area of Saale-Unstrut houses among others a wine museum. This photo was taken while enjoying a boat trip on the river Unstrut.
Huge music stands at Querfurt Castle
Three music stands (Notenständer) with a height of four metres remind me that Querfurt Castle (Burg Querfurt) houses a music school. Artist Ingo Güttler created these music stands that play music and form a sound installation. During festivals, the music stands will be removed.
Windegg Mansion in Reichenau
Windegg Mansion (Schloss Windegg) also known as the ‘Bürgle‘ was founded in the 14th century as a guesthouse for a nearby abbey. There is a rumour that Pope Martin V stayed here for some time after his election in 1417 at the Council of Constance.
Höch Castle in Flachau
Höch Caste (Schloss Höch), first mentioned in the 11th century, offers a nice view over the Flachau area. Inside there is a big salon with a splendid decoration made of wood. Owned by a shareholder of a pit (‘Gewerke‘) for a long time it serves as a venue for cultural events now.
Dürnstein Castle in Styria
Dürnstein Castle (Burgruine Dürnstein) was first mentioned as castrum Dierenstein in 1144. The castle is placed right at the border between Styria and Carinthia. I took this photo while riding a train between Friesach and Unzmarkt. One can see the catenary of the railroad on the left side of the picture.
Maßenburg in Leoben
The Maßenburg is a castle ruin on a hill high over Leoben. It was probably first built in the 13th century. Today hikers have there a great view of Leoben from a viewing tower built on the ruins of a former watch tower.
Grazer Burg in Graz
The construction of the Grazer Burg (Graz Castle) started in 1438 by Duke Friedrich V. The photo above was taken from the Burggarten, a hidden park just outside the old walls of Graz.
Schloss Deutschkreutz in Burgenland
At Schloss Deutschkreutz (Deutschkreutz Castle) I had a guided tour by its owner Anton Lehmden. The artist Anton Lehmden is member of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism and is presenting many of his works in the rooms of the castle.
Room Elisabeth at Lockenhaus Castle
At Lockenhaus Castle I stayed at the room ‘Elisabeth’. Whereas the furniture was old fashioned, the bathroom was pretty modern. It was a corner room so I had a great view of the place Lockenhaus and parts of the castle itself.
Iron Maiden at Lockenhaus Castle
A ‘Eiserne Jungfrau’ (Iron Maiden) seen at Lockenhaus Castle. Though such devices are often shown at castles they are supposed not had been used at all. Probably they were just show pieces inspired by another device called ‘Schandmantel’ (Spanish Coat).
- Eiserne Jungfrau (Wikipedia)
- Schandmantel (Wikipedia)