Burgen & Schlösser: Austrian Castles & Palaces

Austria is full of Castles and Palaces - this one is Schloss Orth in Gmunden, Upper Austria

No big news: Austria is full of castles. Some are ruins, others refurbished, nice and shiny. Some are cosy countryside chateaux, others enormous fortresses. Some are open to the public, some (surprisingly many) are still owned by the families that once built them.

There is on over-all pattern in the Austrian castles: The highest density of them can be found in Lower Austria and along the South-Eastern border areas. This has a few simple reasons: It is where most people lived; secured the most violent areas (during the Middle Ages, almost all invaders came from today′s Eastern Europe); and the landscape leaves towns rather exposed. Looking at the Western provinces like Vorarlberg, Tyrol or Salzburg, you find fewer, but often very big castles - they blocked access to valleys and used the mountains as natural barriers.

After the middle ages, representational palaces of the Baroque era were built excessively all over Austria. After the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg had introduced Baroque to the area of today′s Austria in the early 17th century, the rest of the country followed properly only after the Turks were defeated in 1683. The following decades saw the construction of innumerable palaces, again most frequently in Lower Austria - because of the vicinity to the Imperial Court in Vienna.

Nomenclature of Austrian Castles & Palaces

In the following, you find an alphabetical index of castles in Austria. It is arranged by federal provinces (as usual on this website going from West to East) and by no means complete. I think I have covered the main castles pretty well, though.

Before you dive into this exciting list, a short guide to German castle nomenclature: "Burg" refers to a castle in the conventional sense, usually a medieval building with militaristic and administrative purposes. A "Schloss" is a palace; this might refer to an upgraded Burg, or a post-medieval, representative, non-militaristic palace. Most Austrian buildings of that sort were built during the Baroque period. A "Schlössl" is a small version of a Schloss, but the term often refers to manors that were refurbished in the 19th century, sometimes using medieval buildings as a base.

A more rarely used term is "Festung" or "Feste". It refers to a fortress, a very large "Burg" - usually a militaristic, medieval building that was later extended. This was usually done up to the 17th century, when the use of artillery finally set an end to conventional Burg-building. After that, bastions were built; these are called "Kastell". A ruined castle, by the way, is often called "Ruine" or - more specifically - "Burgruine" or "Schlossruine". The meaning of the terms varies from building to building; it can refer to anything between a castle with no roof and a pile of stones barely recognisable as an ex-building.

Burgenland

The Burgenland is not only among my personal favourites as far as Austria goes, it is also famous for its high density of castles. Traditionally, the Burgenland has always been a border area with all sorts of raping and plundering troops marching through one every couple of years. This, and the vicinity to Vienna, nourished the construction of many castles - which are best enjoyed by touring the "Road of Castles".

Altes Schloss Gattendorf
Burg Bernstein
Burg Forchtenstein
Burg Güssing
Burg Lockenhaus
Burg Schlaining
Burgruine Landsee
Jagdschloss Gloriette
Jagdschloss Steinbrunn
Kastell Batthyány
Kastell Güssing
Kastell Loipersdorf
Kastell Neudörfl
Kastell Roter Hof
Kastell Sammersdorf
Kastell Siegendorf
Kastell Stegersbach
Kastell Sulz
Kastell Unterrabnitz
Neues Schloss Gattendorf
Schloss Batthyány
Schloss Deutschkreutz
Schloss Draßburg
Schloss Eberau
Schloss Esterházy
Schloss Großhöflein
Schloss Halbturn
Schloss Johrmannsdorf
Schloss Kittsee
Schloss Kobersdorf
Schloss Kohfidisch
Schloss Lackenbach
Schloss Nebersdorf
Schloss Nikitsch
Schloss Oberpullendorf
Schloss Pinkafeld
Schloss Potzneusiedl
Schloss Rohrau
Schloss Rotenturm
Schloss Rudersdorf
Schloss Winzerhof
Schlossruine Rendezvous
Werkschlössl (Antimonischlössl)

Carinthia (Kärnten)

After an early Medieval Salovonic kingdom disintegrated, the province of Carinthia was culturally influenced from Bavaria and Salzburg. As a border area towards the non-German speaking South-East, many, mostly Medieval castles were built. Many towns in Carinthia have preserved their Medieval core and often parts of the city walls. Highlights among the castles are Landskron and Hochosterwitz, the town of Friesach holds a medieval theme festival every year.

Burg Finkenstein
Burg Freiberg
Burg Geyersberg
Burg Hochosterwitz
Burg Mannsberg
Burg Neudenstein
Burg Sommeregg
Burg Stein (Dellach), Dellach im Drautal
Burg Wildenstein, Gallizien
Burgen Trixen (Nieder-, Ober-, Mittertrixen)
Burgruine Aichelberg
Burgruine Aichelburg, St. Stefan im Gailtal
Burgruine Arnoldstein
Burgruine Arnulfsfeste, Moosburg
Burgruine Dietrichstein
Burgruine Federaun
Burgruine Feldsberg
Burgruine Flaschberg
Burgruine Glanegg
Burgruine Gmünd
Burgruine Goldenstein
Burgruine Gomarn
Burgruine Gradenegg
Burgruine Grafenstein
Burgruine Greifenfels
Burgruine Griffen
Burgruine Groppenstein
Burgruine Grünburg
Burgruine Grünburg, Klein Sankt Paul
Burgruine Gurnitz
Burgruine Hardegg
Burgruine Hartneidstein
Burgruine Himmelberg
Burgruine Hochkraig, Frauenstein
Burgruine Hohenburg
Burgruine Hohenwart
Burgruine Hornburg, Klein Sankt Paul
Burgruine Kühnburg
Burgruine Landskron
Burgruine Lavant
Burgruine Leobenegg
Burgruine Leonstain
Burgruine Liebenfels
Burgruine Liemberg
Burgruine Niederkraig, Frauenstein
Burgruine Nussberg, Frauenstein
Burgruine Oberfalkenstein, Obervellach
Burgruine Painburg, Bad Sankt Leonhard im Lavanttal
Burgruine Petersberg
Burgruine Prägrad
Burgruine Rabenstein, St. Paul im Lavanttal
Burgruine Ras
Burgruine Rauchenkatsch
Burgruine Rauterburg
Burgruine Rechberg
Burgruine Reinegg
Burgruine Reisberg
Burgruine Rosegg
Burgruine Rothenthurn
Burgruine Rottenstein
Burgruine Schaumburg
Burgruine Silberberg
Burgruine Sonegg
Burgruine Stein, Sankt Georgen im Lavanttal
Burgruine Sternberg, Wernberg
Burgruine Steuerberg
Burgruine Straßfried
Burgruine Taggenbrunn
Burgruine Treffen
Burgruine Twimberg
Burgruine Unterfalkenstein, Obervellach
Burgruine Waisenberg
Burgruine Weidenburg
Burgruine Weißenegg, Ruden
Burgruine Wullroß
Heunburg, Haimburg
Ruine Ortenburg
Schloss Albeck
Schloss Bleiburg
Schloss Carlsberg
Schloss Ebenthal
Schloss Frauenstein
Schloss Hollenburg
Schloss Leonstain
Schloss Neuhaus
Schloss Pöckstein
Schloss Porcia
Schloss Reifnitz
Schloss Rottenstein
Schloss Straßburg
Schloss Wernberg
Schloss Wolfsberg

Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)

As far as it concerns castles, Lower Austria takes the lead of the nation: A border-province towards Bohemia/Moravia and the East with its ruthless nations, the historic heartland of Austria was heavily fortified in the Middle Ages. Austria′s original "capitals" were Melk and Pöchlarn, both places that have preserved much of their Medieval charms. Later, the presence of the Habsburg Emperors in Vienna attracted innumerable noble families - many of whom built a Palais in the city for representative purposes, but also a countryside palace nearby.

Today, it is hard to find a village in Lower Austria that does not have a castle, palace, or at least decent ruins. Highlights include a tour through the Wachau including Krems; Schlosshof, the biggest Austrian palace outside of Vienna; and the Rosenburg, one of the province′s top-attractions. However, it is often the forgotten gems that are the most attractive discoveries.

Altes Schloss Breitenreich
Ansitz Grabenhof
Burg Engelstein
Burg Falkenstein
Burg Feistritz
Burg Greifenstein
Burg Grub
Burg Hainburg, Hainburg an der Donau
Burg Hardegg
Burg Hartenstein, Albrechtsberg an der Großen Krems
Burg Hausenbach
Burg Heidenreichstein
Burg Kreuzenstein
Burg Liechtenstein
Burg Neudegg
Burg Neulengbach
Burg Ottenstein
Burg Perchtoldsdorf
Burg Plankenstein
Burg Raabs, Raabs an der Thaya
Burg Ranna, Spitz
Burg Rappottenstein, Zwettl
Burg Rastenberg
Burg Rauheneck
Burg Rauhenstein
Burg Reinsberg
Burg Scharfeneck
Burg Seebenstein
Burg Weißenburg
Burg Wiener Neustadt
Burg Wildegg
Burgruine Aggstein (Schönbühel-Aggsbach)
Burgruine Araburg
Burgruine Arnstein, Maria Raisenmarkt
Burgruine Dobra
Burgruine Dürnstein
Burgruine Eibenstein
Burgruine Emmerberg
Burgruine Gars
Burgruine Goldburg
Burgruine Grimmenstein
Burgruine Gutenstein
Burgruine Hernstein
Burgruine Hohenberg
Burgruine Hohenegg
Burgruine Hohenstein
Burgruine Hollenburg
Burgruine Imbach
Burgruine Johannstein
Burgruine Kaja
Burgruine Kammerstein, Perchtoldsdorf
Burgruine Kirchschlag
Burgruine Kollmitz, Raabs an der Thaya
Burgruine Mödling
Burgruine Rabenstein, Rabenstein
Burgruine Senftenberg
Burgruine Staatz
Burgruine Starhemberg
Franzensburg, Laxenburg
Gozzoburg
Jugendburg Streitwiesen
Neues Schloss Breitenreich
Rothschild-Schloss (Waidhofen an der Ybbs)
Ruine Hanselburg
Ruine Lichtenfels
Ruine Merkenstein
Schloss Achleiten
Schloss Albrechtsberg, Albrechtsberg an der Großen Krems
Schloss Albrechtsberg, Albrechtsberg an der Pielach
Schloss Allentsteig
Schloss Alt-Kettenhof
Schloss Altprerau
Schloss Ardagger
Schloss Arndorf
Schloss Artstetten
Schloss Aspang
Schloss Asparn an der Zaya
Schloss Baumgarten, Mautern
Schloss Baumgarten, Neulengbach
Schloss Bergau
Schloss Berghof
Schloss Bisamberg
Schloss Bockfließ
Schloss Braiten
Schloss Braunsdorf
Schloss Bruck (Harrach)
Schloss Brunn
Schloss Brunn am Walde
Schloss Buchberg
Schloss Burgschleinitz
Schloss Deinzendorf
Schloss Deutsch-Altenburg
Schloss Dietmanns
Schloss Dobersberg
Schloss Drosendorf
Schloss Drösiedl
Schloss Droß
Schloss Dürnkrut
Schloss Dürnstein
Schloss Ebendorf
Schloss Ebenfurth
Schloss Ebenthal
Schloss Ebergassing
Schloss Ebreichsdorf
Schloss Eckartsau
Schloss Edla
Schloss Ehrendorf
Schloss Eichbüchl
Schloss Enzersdorf im Thale
Schloss Enzesfeld
Schloss Erla
Schloss Ernegg
Schloss Ernstbrunn
Schloss Felling
Schloss Fels am Wagram
Schloss Fischau
Schloss Freundorf
Schloss Freydegg
Schloss Fridau
Schloss Frohsdorf
Schloss Fronsburg
Schloss Fünfkirchen, Drasenhofen
Schloss Gaaden
Schloss Gainfarn
Schloss Gänserndorf
Schloss Gerasdorf am Steinfeld
Schloss Gilgenberg
Schloss Ginselberg (Scheibbs)
Schloss Glaswein
Schloss Gloggnitz
Schloss Gmünd
Schloss Gneixendorf
Schloss Gobelsburg
Schloss Goldegg
Schloss Göllersdorf
Schloss Göpfritz an der Wild
Schloss Grafenegg
Schloss Greillenstein
Schloss Groß
Schloss Großau
Schloss Großgerungs
Schloss Großpertholz
Schloss Großrußbach
Schloss Groß-Schweinbarth
Schloss Groß-Siegharts
Schloss Großtaxen
Schloss Grünau
Schloss Grünbühel
Schloss Guntersdorf
Schloss Gurhof
Schloss Gutenbrunn
Schloss Hadersfeld
Schloss Hagenberg
Schloss Haindorf
Schloss Hainstetten
Schloss Harmannsdorf
Schloss Harras
Schloss Hauskirchen
Schloss Heiligenkreuz
Schloss Hernstein
Schloss Hintersdorf
Schloss Hirschbach
Schloss Hochwolkersdorf
Schloss Hof, Gemeinde Engelhartstetten
Schloss Hollenburg, Krems an der Donau
Schloss Horn
Schloss Hoyos
Schloss Hubertendorf
Schloss Idolsberg
Schloss Illmau
Schloss Jaidhof
Schloss Jedenspeigen
Schloss Jeutendorf
Schloss Judenau
Schloss Kälberhart
Schloss Karlsbach
Schloss Karlslust, Niederfladnitz
Schloss Karlstein, Karlstein an der Thaya
Schloss Karlstetten
Schloss Karnabrunn
Schloss Kattau
Schloss Katzelsdorf
Schloss Kirchberg
Schloss Kirchberg an der Pielach
Schloss Kirchberg an der Wild
Schloss Kirchstetten
Schloss Kranichberg, Kirchberg am Wechsel
Schloss Kreisbach
Schloss Laxenburg
Schloss Lehenhof (Scheibbs)
Schloss Leiben
Schloss Linsberg
Schloss Loosdorf
Schloss Ludwigstorff, Guntersdorf
Schloss Mailberg
Schloss Maissau
Schloss Marchegg
Schloss Matzen, Matzen
Schloss Mayerling
Schloss Niederfladnitz
Schloss Niederleis
Schloss Niedernondorf
Schloss Niederweiden
Schloss Ochsenburg
Schloss Orth, Orth an der Donau
Schloss Ottenstein
Schloss Persenbeug
Schloss Petronell
Schloss Petzenkirchen
Schloss Pitten
Schloss Pöchlarn
Schloss Pöggstall
Schloss Pottschach
Schloss Prugg
Schloss Purgstall
Schloss Riegersburg
Schloss Rohrau
Schloss Rosenau
Schloss Rosenburg, Rosenburg-Mold
Schloss Sachsengang, Groß-Enzersdorf
Schloss Salaberg, Haag
Schloss Schallaburg
Schloss Scheibbs
Schloss Schönau, Schönau an der Triesting
Schloss Schönbühel
Schloss Schwarzau am Steinfelde
Schloss Schwarzenau
Schloss Seisenegg
Schloss Senftenegg
Schloss Steinabrunn
Schloss Stiebar Gresten
Schloss Thürnthal
Schloss Traismauer
Schloss Ulmerfeld, Amstetten
Schloss Weinzierl
Schloss Weitra
Schloss Wetzdorf
Schloss Wieselburg
Schloss Wilfersdorf
Schloss Wolfsberg, Angern
Schloss Wolkersdorf
Schloss Zeillern
Stadtburg Eggenburg
Stadtburg Großenzersdorf
Töpper-Schloss (Scheibbs)
Wasserschloss Kottingbrunn, Kottingbrunn

Upper Austria (Oberösterreich)

Like the neighbouring Lower Austria, Upper Austria was part of the historic heartlands of Austria and thus, fortified early on. Potential enemies were mostly Bavarians and Bohemians, alongside with local peasants - but there was no constant threat like along the eastern border. Therefore, the density of castles is smaller. That being said, there are still plenty of castles and palaces from all sorts of eras around. Highlights include Schloss Orth in Gmunden in the Salzkammergut; Burg Scharnstein (also in the Salzkammergut); and the Medieval, walled city of Freistadt.

Burg Alt-Pernstein, Kirchdorf an der Krems
Burg Clam, Grein
Burg Enns
Burg Frauenstein, Braunau am Inn
Burg Freistadt
Burg Krempelstein
Burg Lobenstein, Oberneukirchen
Burg Prandegg
Burg Pürnstein
Burg Rannariedl
Burg Vichtenstein
Burg Wildenstein, Bad Ischl
Burg Windhaag
Burgruine Dornach
Burgruine Falkenstein, Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis
Burgruine Haichenbach
Burgruine Langenstein
Burgruine Losenstein
Burgruine Piberstein
Burgruine Rottenegg
Burgruine Ruttenstein
Burgruine Saxenegg
Burgruine Scharnstein
Burgruine Schaunberg, Hartkirchen
Burgruine Spilberg
Burgruine Stauff
Burgruine Tannberg
Burgruine Wallsee
Burgruine Waxenberg
Burgruine Werfenstein
Burgruine Wernstein
Linzer Landhaus
Linzer Schloss
Linzer Turmbefestigung
Schloss Achleiten
Schloss Aistersheim
Schloss Altenhof
Schloss Arbing
Schloss Aschach
Schloss Aurolzmünster
Schloss Bergheim
Schloss Bernau
Schloss Bogenhofen, Sankt Peter am Hart
Schloss Cumberland
Schloss Daxberg
Schloss Ebelsberg
Schloss Eggenberg (Vorchdorf)
Schloss Ennsegg
Schloss Gneisenau
Schloss Götzendorf
Schloss Greinburg
Schloss Hagenau (Braunau am Inn)
Schloss Hagenberg
Schloss Haiding
Schloss Hartheim, Alkoven
Schloss Helfenberg
Schloss Hohenbrunn
Schloss Kammer
Schloss Klaus
Schloss Lamberg, Steyr
Schloss Leonstein, Leonstein
Schloss Litzlberg
Schloss Marsbach
Schloss Mistelbach
Schloss Neuhaus an der Donau, Sankt Martin im Mühlkreis
Schloss Neu-Scharnstein
Schloss Neuwartenburg
Schloss Ort
Schloss Ottensheim
Schloss Parz
Schloss Peuerbach
Schloss Puchberg
Schloss Puchenau
Schloss Scharnstein
Schloss Schlüßlberg
Schloss Schmiding
Schloss Schwertberg
Schloss Sigharting
Schloss Sprinzenstein
Schloss St. Veit
Schloss Starhemberg, Eferding
Schloss Starhemberg, Haag am Hausruck
Schloss Steyregg
Schloss Tillysburg
Schloss Tollet
Schloss Traun
Schloss Traunegg
Schloss Traunsee
Schloss Voglsang
Schloss Walchen
Schloss Waldenfels
Schloss Weidenholz, Waizenkirchen
Schloss Weinberg
Schloss Weyer (Kematen an der Krems), Kematen an der Krems
Schloss Weyer, Gmunden
Schloss Wildberg, Kirchschlag bei Linz
Schloss Windern
Schloss Würting
Schloss Zellhof
Wasserschloss Gallspach

Salzburg

From the Middle Ages until 1806, Salzburg was an independent principality ruled by seriously rich Prince Archbishops. Salzburg′s wealth was derived from salt mining (among other mountain goodies, such as gold from the Tauern Valley). The heyday of Salzburg was in the 17th century, when the Medieval city was transformed into a Baroque gem within a few years. That being said, the Prince Archbishops were more into churches and palaces than castles - during the 30-Years-War, Bishop Paris Lodron noted that Salzburg was "accessible like a village"; before he fortified it massively.

Only some protestant riots, fear of a Turkish invasion and some hassles with Bavaria led to the construction to castles and city walls, most of them relatively late. Nevertheless, there are several important castles in Salzburg: The fortress of Salzburg City, Festung Hohensalzburg, is Austria′s biggest castle and a truly impressive one. The fortress of Hohenwerfen is much smaller, but situated in a beautiful valley. Burg Mauterndorf is a typical Medieval castle. Otherwise, enjoy the many palaces in and around Salzburg itself.

Ansitz Barbaraspital
Ansitz Blumenstein
Ansitz Brennhof
Ansitz Colloredo-Sudhaus
Ansitz Edmundsberg
Ansitz Fuschl
Ansitz Niederrain
Ansitz Rauchenbichlhof
Ansitz Salinen-Amtsgebäude
Ansitz Stieger-Schlößl
Burg Finstergrün
Burg Goldenstein
Burg Golling
Burg Hohenwerfen, Werfen
Burg Kaprun, Kaprun
Burg Mauterndorf
Burg Moosham
Burg St. Jakob am Thurn
Burgruine Altentann
Burgruine Edenvest
Burgruine Friedburg, Neukirchen am Großvenediger
Burgruine Gutrat
Burgruine Hieburg, Neukirchen am Großvenediger
Burgruine Klammstein
Burgruine Klausegg
Burgruine Lichtentann
Burgruine Plainburg, Großgmain
Burgruine Saalegg
Burgruine Taxenbach
Burgruine Wartenfels
Burgruine Weyer, Bramberg
Festung Hohensalzburg, Salzburg
Kahsperg
Lambach
Montforterhof
Schlos Saalhof
Schloss Aigen
Schloss Anif, Anif
Schloss Arenberg
Schloss Badeschloss
Schloss Blühnbach
Schloss Böckstein
Schloss Doktorschlössl
Schloss Dorfheim
Schloss Einödlberg
Schloss Elsenheim
Schloss Emsburg
Schloss Emslieb
Schloss Farmach
Schloss Fischhorn
Schloss Flederbach
Schloss Freisaal
Schloss Fronburg
Schloss Fuschl
Schloss Gartenau
Schloss Glanegg
Schloss Goldegg
Schloss Haunsperg
Schloss Hellbrunn
Schloss Heuberg
Schloss Höch
Schloss Hochneukirchen
Schloss Hüttenstein
Schloss Kaiserhof
Schloss Kammer
Schloss Klessheim
Schloss Lasseregg
Schloss Leopoldskron
Schloss Lerchen
Schloss Lichtenau
Schloss Lichtenberg, Saalfelden
Schloss Mattsee
Schloss Mauer
Schloss Mirabell
Schloss Mittersill
Schloss Moosham
Schloss Neudegg
Schloss Neuhaus
Schloss Oberrain
Schloss Pfongau
Schloss Prielau
Schloss Puchstein
Schloss Radegg
Schloss Residenz
Schloss Ritzen
Schloss Rosenberg
Schloss Rupertihof
Schloss Schernberg
Schloss Seeburg
Schloss Sighartstein
Schloss Söllheim
Schloss Tandalier
Schloss Ursprung
Schloss Urstein
Schloss Weitmoser-Schlößl
Schloss Weitwörth
Thurnschlößl
Wispach
Wohnturm Kasten

Styria (Steiermark)

Styria is situated along the border to the South and East of Austria, which also marked the "end" of the Holy Roman Empire for quite some time. Styria consists mostly of smooth hills and thus, it is quite accessible for troops. In order to defend it properly, it was relatively well-fortified ever since the Middle Ages. Castle-construction was nourished after the reformation, when much of Styria′s nobility turned protestant and turned against the Emperor. Later, the new (Catholic) landlords enjoyed the best of Baroque representation in their countryside palaces in Styria.

Today, Styria is still full of castles. Many of the Eastern ones are part of the "Road of Castles". One of the most impressive castles is the Riegersburg. Other highlights include Schloss Ehrenhausen near Graz. There are many small and forgotten castles, though, and it is often worth looking for these hidden treasures.

Burg Alt-Teuffenbach
Burg Baiersdorf
Burg Deutschlandsberg
Burg Dürnstein
Burg Ehrenfels, Kammern im Liesingtal
Burg Ehrenfels, Sankt Radegund bei Graz
Burg Grünfels
Burg Kaisersberg
Burg Krems
Burg Lichtenegg
Burg Neuberg
Burg Neudeck
Burg Neuhaus, Stubenberg
Burg Oberkapfenberg
Burg Obervoitsberg
Burg Thalberg
Burg Waldstein
Burgruine Eppenstein
Burgruine Fohnsdorf
Burgruine Frauenburg, Unzmarkt-Frauenburg
Burgruine Gallenstein
Burgruine Gösting, Gösting
Burgruine Hauenstein, Gallmannsegg
Burgruine Henneberg
Burgruine Hohenwang, Langenwang
Burgruine Kalsberg
Burgruine Kammerstein, Kammern im Liesingtal
Burgruine Katsch, Hinterburg
Burgruine Klingenstein, Salla
Burgruine Klöch
Burgruine Landskron, Bruck an der Mur
Burgruine Liechtenstein, Judenburg
Burgruine Ligist
Burgruine Neu-Leonroth, Sankt Martin am Wöllmißberg
Burgruine Offenburg
Burgruine Pernegg
Burgruine Pfannberg
Burgruine Pflindsberg
Burgruine Pikeroi
Burgruine Puxer-Loch
Burgruine Raabeck
Burgruine Reifenstein
Burgruine Schachenstein
Burgruine Schmirnberg
Burgruine Steinschloss
Burgruine Sturmberg
Burgruine Waxenegg
Burgruine Wildon
Burgruine Wolkenstein
Riegersburg
Schloss Arbesser
Schloss Bertholdstein
Schloss Eggenberg, Graz
Schloss Ehrenhausen
Schloss Feistritz
Schloss Festenburg
Schloss Frauental
Schloss Freiberg
Schloss Frondsberg
Schloss Gasselberg, Krottendorf-Gaisfeld
Schloss Gleichenberg
Schloss Grosssölk
Schloss Gutenberg
Schloss Hainfeld, Leitersdorf im Raabtal
Schloss Hartberg
Schloss Herberstein
Schloss Hollenegg
Schloss Kaiserau
Schloss Kapfenstein
Schloss Kindberg
Schloss Kornberg
Schloss Laubegg
Schloss Neudau
Schloss Neuhaus
Schloss Obermayerhofen
Schloss Rabenstein
Schloss Rohr
Schloss Röthelstein
Schloss Schielleiten
Schloss Seggau
Schloss Stubenberg
Schloss Thörl
Schloss Trautenfels
Schloss Wieden

Tyrol (Tirol) 

The county of Tyrol was an economic powerhouse in the Middle Ages and a key acquisition for the Habsburgs in their rise to become Europe′s most durable dynasty. Therefore, you would expect many Medieval castles to secure Tyrol. Well, you do have them - but actually not that many, since Tyrol consists of mountains, which are easy to secure. Build a castle at the beginning of a valley, another one at the end of it - done.

Nonetheless, those castles that you can find in Tyrol are often truly impressive, large, mighty, well-preserved. It is easy to anticipate the significance of this area especially during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern times. Highlights of the Tyrolean castles and palaces include Schloss Ambras, a Renaissance must-see attraction; the fortress of Kufstein; and the beautifully located Burg Landeck.

Burg Berneck
Burg Bideneck
Burg Bruck
Burg Fragenstein, Zirl
Burg Freundsberg, Schwaz
Burg Hauenstein, Schlerngebiet
Burg Heinfels
Burg Kropfsberg
Burg Laudegg
Burg Lichtenwerth
Burg Mariastein, Wörgl
Burg Naudersberg
Burg Schrofenstein
Festung Kufstein
Hofburg (Innsbruck)
Ruine Thierberg
Schloss Ambras
Schloss Hohenstaffing
Schloss Landeck
Schloss Matzen
Schloss Münichau
Schloss Rotholz
Schloss Sigmundslust
Schloss Tratzberg
Ziegelburg

Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg is the smallest of Austria′s federal provinces and situated between the Bodensee and the Alps. The mountains secured it towards the non-German speaking South, with other neighbours of today′s Switzerland and the Swabians of modern Germany led to some, but not excessive castle-building activities.

All in all, you get nice medieval buildings, but few really big castles. Highlights include Schloss Hofen in Bregenz, Schloss Hohenems and the Schattenburg Castle. All three of them come conveniently in a package with scenic cities, so a visit is well worth the effort.

Burg Gebhardsberg, Bregenz
Burg Jagdberg, Satteins
Burg Neu-Ems (Schloss Glopper)
Burg Rosenegg, Bürs
Burgkirche-Liebfrauenbasilika, Rankweil
Burgruine Neu-Montfort, Götzis
Burgruine Sonnenberg, Nüziders
Burgruine Tosters, Feldkirch-Tosters
Junker-Jonas Schlössle, Götzis
Mittelweiherburg, Hard
Ruine Alt-Ems
Schattenburg, Feldkirch
Schloss Gayenhofen, Bludenz
Schloss Hofen, Bregenz
Schloss Hohenems
Sonderbergschlösschen, Götzis

back to "tours & trips"

Further Reading

The best website on castles & palaces in Austria that I know

Castles & Palaces of the World - including Austria

Castles & Palaces of my native province Salzburg

Palais of Vienna



TourMyCountry.com