No matter where you go in Austria, you are bound to see a castle. This country is made up of many of these interesting structures that tend to tell the story of its distant past. Check out our list of 5 of the most beautiful castles in Austria.
Schloss Schonburnn, Vienna
This UNESCO World Heritage Site has an interesting beginning. It was meant to be a hunting lodge back in 1743. Since then the castle has been renovated and made larger. In the past it has been a summer residence for the Austrian political family. It also has a magnificent park and is home to Christmas and Easter markets. Schloss Schonburnn is the largest castle in Austria.
Shloss Ort, Gmunden
This is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It was originally owned by Hartnidus of Ort, but has changed owners frequently and is currently the property of the city. On the grounds you will find a restaurant, school for agriculture and forestry and a souvenir shop. Quite often concerts and weddings take place at this castle. It was also featured in the television series, Schlosshotel Orth.
Riegersburg Castle
Upon its creation, Riegersburge served as a fort that withstood everyone that tried to conquer it. The castle holds a lot of history and it’s a popular place for tourists in the area to take a guided tour. There are a lot of legends about witches that once inhabited this castle and it’s not uncommon for visitors to become a little spooked listening to all of these stories. Located on top of a hill, the castle is fairly accessible and is a great place to spend the day at while learning and exploring.
Brug Kreuzenstein, Leobendorf
This is one of the most visited castles in Austria thanks to its location near Vienna. Located in a forest, this castle is fairly magical and several movies have been shot here including Season Of The Witch and The Three Musketeers. Located onsite are an eagle station and museum.
Hofburg, Vienna
This castle used to be an important political center for the monarchy in Austria. It’s still part of political businesses today. The grounds consist of the court’s school for horses called Spanische Hofreitschule and quite a few cultural institutions as well as the residence of the president of Austria. If you visit Hofburg, you must go to the Sisi Museum to check out the rather impressive silver collection.
