Hochosterwitz Castle
★★★★☆
Hochosterwitz Castle is considered to be one of Austria's most impressive medieval castles. The rock castle is one of the state's landmarks and a major tourist attraction.
The castle stands on a 172-metre high Dolomite rock near Sankt Georgen am Langsee and east of the town of Sankt Veit an der Glan, about 20 km away from the city of Klagenfurt. It can be seen from a distance of up to 30 kilometres on a clear day.
Some parts of the castle are open to the public every year from Easter to the end of October. Tourists are allowed to walk the 620-metre long pathway through the 14 gates up to the castle; each gate has a diagram of the defense mechanism used to seal that particular gate. The castle rooms hold a collection of prehistoric artifacts, paintings, weapons, and armor, including one set of armor 2.4 metres tall, once worn by Burghauptmann Schenk.
The castle stands on a 172-metre high Dolomite rock near Sankt Georgen am Langsee and east of the town of Sankt Veit an der Glan, about 20 km away from the city of Klagenfurt. It can be seen from a distance of up to 30 kilometres on a clear day.
Some parts of the castle are open to the public every year from Easter to the end of October. Tourists are allowed to walk the 620-metre long pathway through the 14 gates up to the castle; each gate has a diagram of the defense mechanism used to seal that particular gate. The castle rooms hold a collection of prehistoric artifacts, paintings, weapons, and armor, including one set of armor 2.4 metres tall, once worn by Burghauptmann Schenk.
Reviews and impressions
CastleEnjoyer
Very neat. I would need a rest break to get all the way to the top though
Mark Wedrall
This fortress is an outstanding example of 14 fortified gates along the circuitous path leading up to the castle. Each gate had its own unique defensive elements that were designed to delay and cost the attackers dearly.
This was one of the most memorable castles we visited in Austria. Access also available via a small glass booth elevator leading up from the parking area to the top. Well worth the trip and incredible panoramic vistas from the castle