Ambras Castle (Schloss Ambras) in Innsbruck offers an intriguing Chamber of Art and Wonders. One exhibit is a portrait of Count Vlad III Dracul Tzepesch. He is considered the inspiration for Dracula, a novel by Bram Stoker. [German]
Category: Castles
Royal Palace of Visegrád
King Charles I of Hungary commissioned the first Royal House in the 14th century. In the 15th century, Matthias Corvinus renewed the palace in late Gothic style. After the Ottoman siege in 1544, the building fell into ruins. Its excavation began in 1934 and continues today.
Veliki Tabor Castle in Croatia
The pic shows Veliki Tabor Castle (Dvor Veliki Tabor) on a sunny spring day. The oldest part of this building is a five-cornered tower dating back to the 15th century. For many years, it was the home of the Croatian painter Oton Iveković. [German]
Sümeg Castle in Hungary
Sümeg Castle (Sümeg Vár) is one of the most well-preserved fortresses in Hungary. It was built in the mid or late 13th century by Béla IV of Hungary. Today the elongated castle high over the town of Sümeg is a venue for tournaments and cultural events. [German]
Trautenfels Castle in Stainach-Pürgg
While passing the municipality of Stainach-Pürgg by train, I took this pic of Trautenfels Castle (Schloss Trautenfels). It houses collections about the Styrian regions of Ennstal and Ausseerland. The striking mountain behind the castle is known as Grimming.
Bogenšperk Castle in Slovenia
Bogenšperk Castle (Grad Bogenšperk) was the home of the natural historian and polymath Johann Weichard Valvasor (1641-1693). He became famous for publishing several books about topics like the Karst or the history of Carniola. [German]
Hochosterwitz Castle in Carinthia
Hochosterwitz Castle (Burg Hochosterwitz) stands on a 170-metre-high Dolomite rock near St. Georgen am Längsee. Wannabe conquerers had to pass 14 fortified gates to get to the top.
Kamerlengo Fortress in Trogir
The fortress of Kamerlengo (Tvrđava Kamerlengo) saw its construction by the Venetians in the 15th century. At that time, it extended existing structures in the old town of Trogir. This town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. [German]
Nordkirchen Castle
Nordkirchen Castle (Schloss Nordkirchen) is one of the most magnificent moated castles in the region of Münster. As it is considered the most representative Baroque residence in Westphalia, the complex is also named “Westphalian Versailles”. [German]
Kinizsi Castle in Nagyvázsony
This tower is part of a former stronghold owned by the legendary Hungarian military leader Pál Kinizsi. By climbing up Kinizsi Castle (Kinizsi-vár), I learned something new about the interior of tower houses in the medieval ages. [German]
Seggau Castle in Seggauberg
View of Seggau Castle (Schloss Seggau) taken from the nearby Frauenberg Hill. On the walls of the central building, you find an extensive compilation of ancient Roman tombstones.
Trenčín Castle in Slovakia
Trenčín Castle (Trenčiansky hrad) is a castle high above Trenčín, a city in the west of Slovakia. For many years, it was the residence of Máté Csák of Trencsén. Today, a castle museum tells about the history of the building and the region.