Ruins of the fortress Goesting (Burgruine Goesting) description and photos - Austria: Graz (Topic)

Ruins of the fortress of Gosting (Burgruine Goesting) description and photos - Austria: Graz. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Burgruine Goesting.

Photo and description

The ruins of the Gosting fortress are located in the northwestern district of the large Austrian city of Graz of the same name. The former castle is located on a steep hill over 200 meters above sea level. The distance from the fortress to the historic center of Graz is more than 5 kilometers, but in good weather it is worth getting to it on foot, since the surroundings of the Gosting district are quite picturesque and provide many cozy paths and paths for walking.

The first defensive structures appeared here in the XI century. Gosting served as a sentinel and observation center, since from the height of this hill there was an excellent view of the valley of the Mur River and the trade routes along this river. In the 15th century, the castle was greatly increased in size and took the form of a well-fortified fortress. From that moment, Gosting functioned as a defensive post and repelled the invasions of Turkish and Hungarian troops.

The Gosting area itself played an important trade and economic role, as there were about 40 different farms and mills belonging to the castle. In 1707, these lands were acquired by the noble county family Attems, which originated in the Italian province of Friuli. However, 15 years later, tragedy struck here - lightning struck the powder tower of the castle, and a fire that broke out destroyed most of the building. The counts of Attems decided not to restore the medieval fortress, but to build a new residence for themselves at the foot of the hill. This baroque mansion, built in 1728, has survived to this day.

As for the Gosting fortress itself, in the end only ruins remained of it. Now from the entire architectural complex, only the details of the walls, the powerful building of the main tower - the donjon, and the small castle chapel have survived. A museum dedicated to the history of the Gosting region and this fortress was opened in the tower. Also on the territory of the castle there is a cozy tavern with a terrace, from where amazing views of the Mur River, fields and hills open.

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Topic: Ruins of the fortress Goesting (Burgruine Goesting) description and photos - Austria: Graz.