Hohenwerfen Castle in Austria
Rating: 8,5/10 (3141 votes)  Hohenwerfen Castle is located at an altitude of 150 meters, 40 kilometers from Salzburg. The castle was built in the 11th century to defend the city of Salzburg. The castle blocked the only way for enemies through the mountains to the city. Over the centuries it withstood many sieges and battles, but at the beginning of the 16th century, the castle fell under the onslaught of the peasants, who staged something similar to the peasant war. During this uprising, the peasants practically destroyed the castle. After the peasant war was suppressed, the fortress structure was restored by the forces of the same peasants. Nothing remains of the 11th century building, and what we see today is is the 16th century building. The second time, Hohenwerfen Castle was defeated under the onslaught of Napoleon's troops. The French did not damage the castle, but only removed all the weapons from it. In the 19th century, the castle changed its owners many times, and in the 20th century it became the property of the state. After that, a training camp for local police officers was placed there. In 1987, the castle acquired the status of a museum and was opened to visitors. Tourists are attracted not only by the castle-museum itself, but by the magnificent panorama of the surrounding area, which opens from the highest point of the castle - the bell tower. Since the castle is very high, you can only get to the foot of the hill, and up to the castle-museum go up the funicular. Guided tours around the castle. They include an examination of the living quarters of the castle, prison (or torture chamber), where frightening structures are exhibited, making it clear how harsh medieval times were. The museum also has rooms displaying medieval weapons. The tour lasts about an hour, after which visitors can walk through the lower courtyard, where a falconry demonstration and various theatrical tournaments take place. At the bottom of the castle, there is a falconry museum, where sledges and carriages are exhibited , in which they went hunting, traditional outfits of hunters and fishermen from around the world, as well as various devices for catching birds.  We also recommend reading Castle Landskron in Austria Topic: Hohenwerfen Castle in Austria. |
