On a trip with the Styrian railway in the Lungau we pass this castle high above the town Ramingstein. It looks medieval but well preserved. We wonder if it is still inhabited?
Category: Castles
Giebichenstein Castle in Halle (Saale)
Giebichenstein Castle (Burg Giebichenstein) is part of the Romanesque Road (Strasse der Romanik). Today it is used by the Kunsthochschule Halle (Academy of Arts). Being a Burgward in the 9th century, the castle became a royal residence of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor.
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.
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.
Hohenzollern Castle (Burg Hohenzollern) was built in the 1840s. The idea was to create something romantic, the architect Georg Adolf Demmler (1804-1886) was influenced by Tudor castles he visited in England. Today the edifice is part of an ensemble run by the Grandhotel Heiligendamm.
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.
Madonnenschlössel in Bernstein
The Madonnenschlössel was built in 1923 by Mayor Georg Gyömörei. It was the residence of him and his wife which was the sister of Count Almasy. Today it serves as budget-friendly accommodation for hikers and bikers and as venue for events.
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 (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.
Klammstein Castle near Dorfgastein
On my train journeys through Austria I often pass Klammstein Castle (Burg Klammstein) which seems to block the Gastein Valley (Gasteinertal) in the north. In earlier times it was used as toll station. Today it accommodates a museum about the history of the castle and the valley.