Categories
Castles

Neuenburg Castle high over Freyburg (Unstrut)

Neuenburg Castle high over Freyburg (Unstrut), GermanyNeuenburg 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.

Categories
Castles Public Art

Huge music stands at Querfurt Castle

One of three huge music stands at Querfurt Castle in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

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.

Categories
Castles

Windegg Mansion in Reichenau

Windegg Mansion in Reichenau, Germany

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.

Categories
Castles

Madonnenschlössel in Bernstein

Madonnenschlössel in Bernstein, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Höch Castle in Flachau

Schloss Höch in Flachau, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles Railviews

Dürnstein Castle in Styria

Burgruine Dürnstein in Styria, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Maßenburg in Leoben

Maßenburg in Leoben, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Grazer Burg in Graz

Grazer Burg in Graz, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Klammstein Castle near Dorfgastein

Burg Klammstein in Dorfgastein, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Schloss Deutschkreutz in Burgenland

Deutschkreutz Castle in Burgenland, Austria

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.

Categories
Castles

Sacral room of the Templars at Lockenhaus Castle

Sacral room of the templar at Lockenhaus Castle, Austria

After walking through the Templar museum at Lockenhaus Castle I came across this mysterious room. It is supposed to be have been a sacred site of the Templars. Other voices say it is just a cistern. Anyway, the museum about the history of the Templars is worth a visit though.

Categories
Castles

Are there vampires at Lockenhaus Castle?

Mirror at room Elisabeth at Lockenhaus Castle, Austria

Lockenhaus Castle houses a breeding place for bats and an interesting exhibition about these animals. One of us even saw a bat in her room. Well, some of us joked it could also had been a vampire. Bah! There are no vampires!