Tannen-E is a city under eternal ice. Legends of Austria

Medieval castles are the undisputed adornment of Austria. This country unites nine feudal lands, each of which is interesting in its own way. Picturesque nature, clean lakes And majestic mountains attract numerous tourists to this country. Far from the last place in that it is tourist destinations at any time of the year it is in high demand, medieval castles play - silent witnesses of historical vicissitudes.

Castles are scattered throughout Austria and each of them has its own historical value. For example, Herberstein Castle, whose owners to this day are the Counts of Herberstein, amazes with its luxury and beauty. But this castle is more than 700 years old. The architecture of this medieval building harmoniously intertwined: Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. Every medieval castle in Austria had a prayer room or a separate small chapel. Herberstein Castle was no exception.

Another Austrian castle was erected in 1190 by order of Count Hugo I of Montfort. Descriptions of the majestic Bernstein Castle were first found in written documents from the 13th century. This castle was a defensive fortress and protected the borders of Austria from attacks by Hungarian and Bohemian troops. In the endless corridor labyrinths, according to the Austrians, today you can find the spirit of the sad “White Lady”. According to legend, this is none other than Countess Catarina Frescobaldi herself, who died in this castle in 1480.

And during the Crusades, another Austrian castle was built - Schobak Castle. It was erected by order of the first king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. You can talk endlessly about Austrian castles. After all, each of them has its own history and breathtaking legend.

Today, Austrian castles hospitably open their gates to numerous guests. Castles host all sorts of cultural events; some castles host real balls and knightly tournaments.
In the Ambras Castle, in the portrait gallery you can see beautiful paintings by Titian, Rubens, and Cranach. Van Dyck, and in Shattenburg Castle visit the city museum and try the “Shattenburg schnitzel”.

Many Austrian castles have now been converted into hotels. However, despite this, the medieval flavor is completely preserved in the castles. For example, at Bernstein Castle, magnificent candlelit dinners are served in the Knights' Hall. The amazing gardens that are located on the territory of almost all castles invite contemplation and reflection. In an Austrian castle, you can’t help but feel like royalty. Cozy rooms-chambers with fireplaces and tiled stoves create a fabulous atmosphere at any time of the year.

The medieval castles of Austria have a rich history, they have survived many wars and attacks, but they are still majestic and mysterious. Austrian castles rightfully deserve your attention.
Arnulfsfeste Castle

The first written mention dates back to 879. It belonged to the Palatines of Goritsi in the period after 1100 until the second half of the 15th century. Then the castle passed to the Habsburgs, after the Ernau family in 1501 and belonged to them until 1630. Then it belonged to the barons from Kronegger from 1633, and in 1733 it came into the possession of the noble Goss family. Situated on three connected hills, this Carolingian castle was protected by marshes and forests
The old castle of Moorburg was the main fortification of the Carolingian prince Arnulf of Carinthia.
Arnoldstein Castle

Founded as a Benedictian monastery in 1106. Due to its location on a commercial street, the monastery was used as a defense against enemies, that is, as a fortress.



During the almost 800-year history of the monastery, there was a powerful earthquake (1348), as well as several Turkish invasions. With the dissolution of the monastery in 1783, the influence of Benedict ended and the ancient walls were left to themselves. Exactly 100 years later, Ver-Vested Arnoldstein and his monastery burned down in a fire. Over the years there continued to be weathering of the Maisel on the walls, so that after many decades, only ruins remained of the once mighty fortress of the monastery
Araburg Castle

Araburg Castle, located in Kaumbeg, Triestingtal, is at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level, and is the highest castle in Lower Austria.
The castle was built by the Araburger family and belonged to them from the 12th to the 17th centuries, and during this time it was constantly expanded. During the first Turkish siege in 1529, it became a refuge for the local population. In 1625, the Ruckendorfferns became the new owners of the castle. During the second Turkish siege in 1683, it was destroyed. And only in 1960 it was restored for tourists to visit.
Aggstein Castle




Built in the 12th century, Aggstein Castle cannot be seen today. It was completely destroyed and burned at the beginning of the 16th century during the first Turkish war. The new castle built in its place has stronger walls, designed to withstand artillery strikes. It was the later construction that has survived well to this day. Only an impregnable fortress located on the top of a mountain could serve as protection from enemies and control merchant ships passing along the Danube.





The gray walls of Aggstein Castle merge with the top of the mountain, and just like it are covered with bushes. Outside and inside the castle, the restoration did not affect the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. An amazing view opens from the windows of the “prison” chambers of the castle to the valley below and the Danube River. Here you can touch history by examining the external buildings, left by archaeologists in their “pristine” form, and the internal rooms filled with antiques. Audio guide in German and English languages in 25 minutes gives a short historical information about Aggstein Castle and talks a little about the purpose of certain rooms.






The modern Aggstein Castle is not used as a residential premises, so tourists do not have the opportunity to stop and spend time in the medieval chambers. But even a one-day excursion to this romantic place will bring a lot of impressions to adults and children. The castle invites you into a world forgotten for centuries. Hidden staircases, courtyards and towers, dungeons and a chapel, a banquet hall and a tavern lead into it. The kids will appreciate a trip to a real ancient fortress, where in one of the rooms there are knights in armor, stuffed bears, moose, and eagles on the walls. Adults will enjoy the huge wooden tables, open fireplace, wooden ceilings and views of the valley from the many windows.





Legend says that Aggstein was built in the 12th century by Menegold III of Aschispesh. In 1181, the castle received a new owner, Kuenringer Aggsbash-Ganbash. From 1230 to 1231, the castle was besieged and conquered by the vassals of Duke Frederick II. Aggstein changed owners many times, because uprisings and conquests make up the history of the Middle Ages: 1295-1296 Aggstein passed to Duke Albrecht, from 1348 to 1355 it was in the power of Leuthold II Kuenringer.




Duke Albrecht V of Austria or King Albrecht II of Germany bought the castle in 1429 and thoroughly rebuilt its dilapidated frame to protect the Danube.






Only in 1477 did Duke Leopold III and his associates manage to protect the castle from robbery. Leopold III became the patron saint and margrave of Austria, expanding its borders on the path to independence. But already in 1529, Aggstein Castle was consumed in flames by the first Turkish war. IN tragic fate Aggstein Castle, its captives and owners reflect the features of the Middle Ages. The owners of Agstein were famous for their cruelty, greed, treachery and often used the castle as a prison for those who refused to obey them and pay taxes.




Nowadays, Aggstein Castle is under UNESCO protection and is open to the public. Archaeologists carefully restored the picturesque ruins to preserve the romantic spirit of the Middle Ages and make Aggstein Castle attractive to tourists.




On the territory of the castle there is a souvenir shop, a cafe and a small chapel where you can hold a very unusual and memorable wedding ceremony. The vow to love each other until the end of days, said in this amazing place, will become truly indestructible.





The most convenient way to get to Aggstein Castle is by bicycle. But the main part of the path, along an almost vertical stone staircase, invites you to take a walk, full of impressions from the surrounding area. Tourists who venture to Aggstein should be prepared for some physical exertion. Sportswear and shoes will be a salvation for tourism workers.
Anif Palace

The castle stands on an artificial pond in the same Austrian city of Anif on the southern outskirts of Salzburg. Its origin can no longer be precisely dated, but there is a document from 1520 that proves that at that time a pond had already been created in the same place. Its owner was the former serf Lienhart Praunecker.

In 1852

Since 1530, the Archbishop of Salzburg himself was awarded lands. Already in 1693, the building was received in the same way after restoration by Johann Ernst Graf von Thun, Bishop of Chiemsee, who subsequently used it as a summer residence until 1806. The last of them, Sigmund Christoph von Zeil of Trauchburg, designed the large garden of the English castle.


Ambras Castle

Ambras Castle (German: Schloss Ambras) is a castle museum in Innsbruck, Austria. It is one of the main attractions of the city. Its cultural and historical significance is closely related to Archduke Ferdinand II.

View of the castle in an engraving by Matthäus Merian
The construction of the castle dates back to the time of Ferdinand II, the second son of Emperor Ferdinand I. When the Archduke became sovereign of the province of Tyrol in 1563, he hired Italian architects to rebuild the medieval fortress into a Renaissance castle.

Ferdinand II was one of the most generous patrons of the arts in the Habsburg family. At Ambras Castle he collected magnificent collections of paintings, sculptures, weapons, jewelry, etc.


Today Ambras is one of most popular places among tourists visiting Innsbruck.
Brook Castle, Lienz


The Austrian Bruck Castle is located in the southern part of East Tyrol, on the territory of the district center of Lienz. The castle was built on a hill adjacent to Mount Hochstein, on which Lienz itself lies.


The castle received its name in honor of the stone bridge (German: Bruecke), which connected the castle with the outside world and was the most important structure in the Middle Ages. The main tower and powerful walls of the castle have been preserved to this day and are visible from afar. The castle courtyard has a regular rectangular shape and is crowned by an entrance gate with a semicircular arch.




Previously, a narrow staircase led up from them, which, like most buildings, has not survived to this day. Only scattered parts of the old castle have survived. A tin wreath frames the outer castle walls, and with main tower in the Romanesque style there is a surrounding wall, which has two rotundas. They offer beautiful views of the city of Lienz, the valley and the Isel River.


On the territory of the castle there is also a two-story chapel in the Romanesque style with frescoes by Simon Tysten (XIII-XV centuries). It played the role of a room for church services, which was required in every medieval castle. The furnishings of the chapel at Brooke Castle consisted of a small altar, simple benches, and the only decoration was frescoes with biblical scenes.



Since 1943, the museum of the city of Lienz has been located here - the Museum of Creativity and Traditions of East Tyrol. Collections of paintings are exhibited in its 40 halls. Among them are about 100 works by the internationally acclaimed local artist Albin Egger-Lienz, who lived here from 1868 to 1925. The museum has an archaeological department, where exhibits are displayed that were found during the excavations of Aguntum. They tell the history of East Tyrol from the primitive period.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum annually hosts various thematic exhibitions dedicated to the culture, history and nature of East Tyrol. Which is one of the reasons for the popularity and attendance of this castle. In addition, there is a summer terrace with beautiful views of the Dolomites, where you can dine in a cozy atmosphere

Brook Castle was built from 1250 to 1277 as the residence of the Counts of Hertz (Goritsyn). The ancestor of this Goritsky-Tyrolian dynasty was Meinhard II, who is the eldest son of Count Meinhard of Goritsky and Countess Adelheid of Tyrol. After the death of his father, he becomes the ruler of both powers and very quickly gains great influence in Germany.



Especially after marrying the widow of Emperor Conrad IV. Meinhard II freed himself from the power of Salzburg and entered into a struggle with the spiritual princes, primarily with the Archbishop of Brixen, who laid claim to the territory of the Tyrol. Thanks to his military talents, he won this struggle, acquired the desired lands, and also received the hereditary position of vicar.


Later, he divided all the lands acquired in battles with his younger brother Albrecht. He kept Tyrol for himself, and gave Gorizia to his brother, thereby breaking the dynasty into two parts.


Having finished with the wars, Count Meinhard II began to engage in economic affairs no less successfully. Under his rule, rapid development of the region began, the count encouraged trade and the development of art, kept the construction of roads under personal control and encouraged the development of mining. During his reign, Tyrol gained the right to mint its own coin.




Around 1480, the counts of the Hertz family became rulers of Tyrol. Thanks to the increased prosperity, the family castle expanded greatly. A two-story chapel with ribbed vaults was built. They commissioned wall paintings from local artist Simon von Teisten. New living quarters appeared on the castle grounds, where one could comfortably survive the winter without fear of freezing


In 1500, the last Count von Hertz died and the castle became the property of the emperor. Emperor Maximilian I was always short of money, and he liked to pledge his property to creditors. Thus, Brook Castle fell into the hands of the von Wolkenstein family and remained in their possession until the end of the 16th century. They preserved all the buildings that were on the territory of the castle, and in addition they built another wall with two rotundas and made a second entrance.


In the 17th century, Brooke Castle had an armory and it was used for the meeting of city judges. Later, nuns began to live in it. But in 1783, the reigning Emperor Joseph II declared the castle state property, dispersed the monastery and placed barracks and a hospital in the castle.


Then in 1827 the castle was purchased by the governor of Lienz for use as a country house. But the son of the founder laid out an inn and a brewery in it. The castle was used in this way until the outbreak of the First World War, when its last owner died and it again became imperial property. It was rebuilt on the model of royal castles in Bavaria, which gave it a romantic appearance. In 1942, the authorities of the city of Lienz bought the castle and made it a museum, which is still located there
Bernstein Castle, Burgenland ,

High above Tauchental stands the tallest castle in Burgenland.
For lovers of knightly romance and castles, there is the country of Austria. If you have watched the Oscar-winning film “The English Patient”, if you love knightly romance, leisurely relaxation and pristine nature, then the Bernstein Castle Hotel will definitely appeal to you. This living piece of history is located in Western Austria. And the places where it is located deserve special attention. On the way from Vienna to Graz, near the beautiful picturesque lake Neusiedler See, this castle is located. It is run by the hospitable couple Berger and Almazi. These people treat guests not as guests, but as long-time friends, and almost like family members

Bernstein Castle – a real masterpiece bastion architecture. The castle looks like an oval, wide, almost fortress walls, with narrow windows, and a very small number of turrets. The incredibly beautiful garden is located inside the castle. The castle is surrounded by pristine nature and there are also golf courses here. Golf, by the way, is another reason that attracts visitors here. The famous golf club is located nearby.

The owners of the castle managed the almost impossible. They preserved the castle in almost its original form. The furnishings and furniture here are the same as they were during the “tsarist regime,” so to speak. Visitors to this hotel are transported to the knightly era from the first step in the castle.

High ceilings, heavy wooden chairs with high backs, a real fireplace of those times, and in working order, porcelain tile stoves. That is, in fact, the castle looks like a museum, but it is a hotel. The fundamental rule of the hotel owners, the Almazi family, is that there are no signs of civilization in the form of televisions or telephones. It’s more pleasant to communicate here, sitting by a burning fireplace, sipping whiskey, and talking about everything in the world. It's not just breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a real meal. By candlelight, in the huge “Knight's Hall”, on a chair where the Emperor of Austria Frederick the Third might have sat.


All the dishes in this castle hotel are prepared by the hostess herself, and cooked in a real wood-burning oven. Especially popular among guests are her spinach cream soup and delicious chocolate mousse.



The hotel has a huge library, which contains about 30,000 volumes. Among them there are very rare specimens, for example, a rare map from the 1500s. The guest book of this hotel is also of particular value. Franz Joseph von Habsburg, Emperor of Austria, Regina von Habsburg, Otto von Habsburg and other popular personalities and politicians left their signatures of gratitude here.



Each room in the castle has its own story. The famous desert explorer Laszlo Almasy, the prototype of the hero of The English Patient, lived in one of them. The Hungarian Ambassador to Turkey, Countess Esterhazy, lived in other rooms. One of the bathtubs in these rooms dates back to 1922!



A special flavor and attraction for tourists in Bernstein Castle are local legends about ghosts. It is quite possible that even now you will be able to meet the ghost of the son of the first owner of the castle - John von Güssing. John was a tall giant with a bright red beard and hair, for which he received the nickname “Red Ivan.” He died in 1279, but his ghost still haunts the castle. The castle is also visited by the sad “white” woman Catarina Frescobaldi, who, according to legend, drowned herself in the bathtub, and the vaults of the castle sometimes resound with her plaintive moans.



Bernstein Castle has rich history, but throughout its existence, it changed hands so many times that history has not preserved either the name of the author-creator or the exact number of owners.



The first mention of Bernstein Castle dates back to 860. In the 13th century it already appears as a border fortress. Since the castle stands on the border of the intersection of the limits and interests of three states - Bohemia, Austria and Hungary, it was constantly a stumbling block between their rulers. In 1199, the fortress still belonged to Hungary, and in the thirties of the 13th century the castle fortress belonged to the Austrian Emperor Frederick the Second. Since 1236, the fortress again came into the possession of Hungary.




. Until 1388, the castle belonged to royalty. The Dukes of Anjou laid down the fortress this very year due to huge debts. Then, for seventy years, there were again constant changes of owners. In the 16th century, Bernstein was subjected to repeated siege by the Turks. In 1532, construction of additional fortifications began, and the castle took on its present appearance. This is already a whole bastion. The walls alone are 120 feet high, what are they worth! At this time, Ludwig Koenigsberg was engaged in the arrangement inside the fortress. The Gothic style is gradually being destroyed, giving way to the soft lines of the Baroque.




In 1703, southern part, right down to the basements, is being rebuilt by architect Lori Basiani. In 1892, Bernstein Castle came into the possession of the Almasi family. And three years later, he is born here great traveler and the conqueror of the Sahara Desert - “The English Patient” - Laszlo Almasy.




There are many rooms dedicated to this man in Bernstein Castle. Here he was born, here he grew up, here he returned after expeditions. He was a very progressive person for his time. Received a pilot's certificate and a license to drive a car. He was the first to drive a car along the Nile.


To demonstrate the endurance of the cars of the Steyr company, where he actually worked, he went on a trip through the desert. It was on the basis of this first adventurous trip into the deep desert by car that the film “The English Patient” was conceived.



In 1932, the Almazi-Clayton expedition sets out for the Sahara to search for the ghostly oasis of Zerzura. But the oasis was not discovered the first time. Laszlo had to travel a lot of roads before the goal was achieved. The main achievement of his expeditions is considered to be the discovery of prehistoric rock paintings in the Kebir area. During the Second World War, he served under the leadership of General Rommel, although he was not considered a Nazi. Makes a daring escape through the desert in a car and ends up deep behind Allied lines.



After the war, he was captured and tried by the people's court in Budapest. After repeated torture and beatings, Laszlo was found not guilty and released. After this, he was allowed to continue his scientific activities. But, alas, it didn’t work out. In 1951, after visiting Europe, Laszlo fell ill with dysentery and died without realizing his long-time dream of finding the lost army of the Persian king Cambyses. The story of his life contains many ambiguous facts and awaits critical study. After the First World War, Western Hungary was annexed to Austria, Bernstein Castle became Austrian. After World War II in 1953, the castle was finally turned into a hotel and officially began to operate in this status.
Weissenegg Castle

Weissenegg Castle - located in the northeast of Ruden on a rocky hill in the forest, in Carinthia. The first documentary mention of the castle dates back to 1243. The castle belonged to Dietmar Weissenegg and the Lords Wolsey from 1363 to 1425, then passed into the hands of the Counts of Cilli, who sold it to Bamberger in 1759.
Initially, there were fortifications (walls) on the territory. In the 13th century the walls were enlarged towers built. To the northwest of it there is a deep ditch. Afterwards it was increased to 3 floors. There is a fountain in the courtyard.
Weissenberg Castle

Weissinberg Castle - located on a cliff in the Trichner Valley. From 1167 to 1550 the castle was in the possession of the Gurk diocese. Then the owners changed several times until 1713, until it passed to the Christonigg family. In 1790 there was a fire in the castle, after which it gradually collapsed. In 1992, restoration of the castle began.

Nowadays the castle is used for celebrations and celebrations for hire. Today the castle belongs to Maria Teresa Sigolotti-Christonigg.
Wilhelminenberg Castle

Wilhelminenberg Castle is located in the Ottakring district (or district N16 according to the city plan) in the mountainous part of Vienna, Austria; this is practically the edge of the Vienna Woods, the ancient hills of the Wienerwald.




Initially, the castle was a hunting palace of the 18th century in the late Baroque style with a huge park covering most present Ottakring. Nowadays, only 12 hectares remain of the former vast park, surrounding the castle on the hill, and Wilhelminenberg was rebuilt by one of the last owners at the beginning of the 20th century in the neo-empire spirit, and this is how it has survived to this day. However, it still offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes and city districts of Vienna, and the castle itself still captivates with its elegance.




During its history, Wilhelminenberg Castle served as the residence of many noble and prominent people of the period of the 18th-20th centuries; the high society of the Austrian (and not only) capital visited here. Therefore, today it seems quite natural that the palace houses one of the most romantic and prestigious hotels in Vienna.




In the second half of the 18th century, land on Ottakring Hill was acquired by Field Marshal General of the Austrian Army, Count Franz Moritz von Lassi (1725-1801). His father, Peter Lassi, was a native of Ireland, a Russian field marshal and hero of the Battle of Poltava. The count built for himself a hunting castle on the new lands with a spacious park, which included the surrounding hills, several ponds and even authentic ruins of times Ancient Rome, found on the acquired site. The country residence soon became known in Vienna as Lassi Castle.




In 1780, the Russian ambassador in Vienna, Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Golitsyn, purchased the castle from his friend Franz. The son of Mikhail Golitsyn, Governor General of Finland, senator and member of the Supreme Privy Council, was born in Turku on May 15, 1721. His father, who was one of the closest associates of Peter the Great, fell into disgrace under Anna Ioannovna and lost all government posts, while his son under Catherine II had an excellent diplomatic career.



At first he was an adviser to Count Bestuzhev-Ryumin in Paris, and after his death, from 1760, he was the ambassador of the Russian Empire in France. Then in January 1762 the prince was transferred to Vienna, where he worked for the good of the fatherland for more than thirty years until his death. Today, the street leading to the castle, Galitzin Strasse, is named in his honor, and the hill itself on which Wilhelminenberg stands is named Galitzinberg. The castle had previously been called the same, but the new owners diligently renamed it and, in the end, ensured that the old name of the palace was forgotten.


After the death of the prince in 1793, his possessions, including the castle, were inherited by Count Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev. Galitsinberg was sold by him, changed several owners and, finally, in 1824 became the property of the French Count Jules Thibault de Montleart. The castle was in a deplorable state due to the fact that no one lived here for a long time. Montleart completely renovated Galitzinberg and added two side wings to it in 1838.


After the death of Jules Thibault and his wife Marie Christina, the relatives staged a lengthy battle for the inheritance, which their son, Duke Moritz de Montleart, was able to win in 1866. He presented the resulting castle as a gift to his wife Wilhelmina, and ordered signs with the new name: “Wilhelminenberg” to be posted on all access roads to the palace. This name remains locked to this day. Moritz and Wilhelmina became famous as compassionate and generous people who constantly helped the poor. At the request of his wife, after his death in 1887, Moritz was buried in a neo-Gothic mausoleum next to the castle.

Wilhelmina, who was remembered for a long time, also rested there in 1895. local residents as "angel from Ottakring".
The castle was inherited by Archduke Rainer Ferdinand von Wittelsbach, Prince of Bavaria and Infante of Spain, a relative of almost all the royal houses of Europe and the future Prime Minister of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. From 1903 to 1908 On his instructions, a complete restructuring of Wilhelminenberg was carried out.


The work was supervised by architects Ignaz Sowinski and Eduard Frauenfeld, the event cost the Archduke almost one and a half million crowns, as a result of which the castle received a look in the spirit of neo-empire ( architectural style era of Napoleon III in France), the park was significantly transformed, new service buildings appeared. Although the marriage of this illustrious prince was for love and he and his wife lived in happiness all their lives, the family remained childless.


Therefore, after the death of Rainer von Wittelsbach in 1913, the castle was inherited by his nephew, Archduke Leopold Salvator von Assisi of Habsburg. However, he owned Wilhelminenberg for literally one year: the war began.


During the First World War, the castle housed a hospital, then a rehabilitation center for combat veterans. In 1922, the castle was purchased by a banker from Zurich, Wilhelm Ammann, but in 1927 the city authorities bought the palace from him and opened an orphanage here. Since then, Wilhelminenberg has almost constantly hosted various state and public organizations, and has never returned to private ownership.

. From 1934 to 1938 The castle housed the world famous Vienna Boys' Choir. After the Anschluss of Austria in 1938, Wilhelminenberg was transferred to the Austrian SS Legion. During the Second World War, the castle again housed a hospital, then temporary premises for former concentration camp prisoners, then again an orphanage, which was replaced by a biological station led by the famous researcher, zoologist and ethologist Otto König, and, finally, a shelter for children with deviant behavior (1961-1977)
Gessing


Burg Hessing is a castle in the south of Burgenland, Austria. On June 30, 1524, the castle was acquired by the Battyany family as personal property, which remains to this day thanks to the historical foundation, which provides for the care and maintenance of the castle.


Around 1157 it was a small wooden fort and was built by Count Wulfer. Information in documents preserved in the chapel mentions a building from that time, which states that there was an abbey or monastery on the site. Ownership of the property was later transferred to King Béla III, who reinforced the original wooden structure with stone walls. Beginning in 1198, Hessing became known as New Castle.
Groppenstein Castle


Groppenstein Castle is located northwest of Oberwellach, near the mouth of the Mallnitzbachs in Moll, on three sides of a sloping cliff above the town. Currently, the castle is privately owned by Dr. Robert Schobel.


The first mention of Groppenstein Castle was in 1254. The castle tower most likely could have been built earlier.
At the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century, Groppenstein came to belong to Besitz Gorizia.

Have you ever heard about the rich city of Tannen-E, high in the mountains, which was once covered with thick snow, and the city remained under forever? eternal ice? The inhabitants of this city were overcome by greed and vanity, not only did they have nowhere to put their money, but they also decided to build a tower to the sky, a tower higher than all the snowy peaks, and hang a bell at the top so that all the peoples of the world would know about this city. That’s when nature decided in its own way - and punished its disobedient children who tried to disrupt its harmony. And this happened not somewhere in a magical distant kingdom, but in a real place that can be found on the map: in the Alps, in the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the Etzthaler Fernern mountain range, where a rocky spire rises above the peak of the mountain covered with the Eiskugel glacier - this is a tower , not completed by the inhabitants of Tannen-E.

There is something surprisingly familiar about this story. She immediately reminded us of the Russian fairy tale about the fisherman and the fish and dozens of other fairy tales of the peoples of the world, telling about punished arrogance. But stop! Do not rush to conclude that the Austrian legend about the city of Tannen-E is the sister of these tales! There is a difference between a legend and a fairy tale.

Firstly, the location. In a fairy tale, everything happens in a distant kingdom, in one village or in an unknown place: once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman, and we don’t know where they lived - and this is not so important in the fairy tale. The legend clearly states the location of the action. Look at the beginning of the Austrian legends: “A peasant from Obernberg, on the Inn River...” or “Once upon a time there lived Hans the Giant in the Upper Mühlviertel...” - all these are completely reliable names of specific geographical places, existing today. Cities, villages, valleys, rivers, streams, lakes, mountain peaks, individual rocks are named - and an amazing and instructive story is associated with each place. Gradually, as we become acquainted with Austrian legends, we develop a complete picture of the nature of this country, where every corner is covered in poetry. This is a kind of poetic geography. This is the geography of Burgenland, with its famous lowland lakes and picturesque castles. And here is the geography of the land of Styria: mountain lakes, glaciers, steep cliffs, caves.

We have arranged the legends as is usually done in Austrian collections of legends - by land. Nine sections of the book are nine pieces geographical map, together making up one country - Austria. The geography of legends is peculiar. She doesn't set priorities. The center of the action may be a small village, an inconspicuous stream, or a local mountain cliff. And in this the legend is very modern. After all, it is high time to abandon the method of getting to know geography based on the principle of marking: this city is worthy of mention because it is large and economically important, and that one is small and insignificant, and is not worthy of being known about. Modern knowledge is humanistic, for modern man every corner of the earth is valuable - to the same extent that it was important to the ancient creator of the legend the only corner, which he described in detail and lovingly - after all, once it made up his entire world, he did not know other corners.

So, in a legend, unlike a fairy tale, a specific place of action is named. Of course, it happens that in a fairy tale the location of the action is known, as, for example, in the famous “Musicians of Bremen” by the Brothers Grimm - such fairy tales are similar in their characteristics to legends. The legend not only names a specific place, but also often names specific natural features: if in a fairy tale the sea is a conditional phenomenon, then in the legend each lake has not only a name, but also a description of what kind of water is in it, what kind of shores it is, what grows around it. Glaciers, snowfalls, caves, mountain paths are described in detail, and in urban legends - streets, alleys, taverns.

The second difference between a legend and a fairy tale is that the legend involves historical characters and mentions historical events. Among the numerous beggars, lumberjacks, blacksmiths and Hans, who, if they have a name, then it has long become a generalized symbol of a daredevil or a rogue among the people (a situation well known to us from a fairy tale), there is the very real legendary Hans Puchsbaum, who once led either the construction of the famous St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, or the legendary alchemist Theophrastus Paracelsus, or Charlemagne, or not included in the annals at all, but equally famous thanks to Austrian legend Mrs. Perkhta. It is no coincidence that in the last phrase we twice came across the word “legendary,” which is appropriate in this case. Because a legendary person is a historical figure, treated in a special way by a legend. Unlike a chronicle, in a legend the exact date when an event occurred or when a historical hero acted often disappears. But the characteristic features of the historical figure in the legend are exaggerated, become brighter, more prominent. And again the same phenomenon, unusually close to the worldview of modern man: there are no main and secondary people, just as there are no main and secondary cities - everyone can participate in the creation of history, but for this he must do something significant - for his loved ones, for of his people. It turns out that in a fairy tale the personality is erased, the main character is the people, generalized and typified, while in a legend living, real people appear against this background.

And finally, we get to the third difference between a legend and a fairy tale. This is her special form. Much work has been done on the form of the tale, and it is described in detail. Of course, because the form of the fairy tale is very recognizable, and this is expressed in certain linguistic features. In a fairy tale there is a beginning and an ending, there is a threefold repetition of the plot, there are stable epithets. With a legend, the situation is more complicated. The main thing here is the story itself, the plot, and it can be presented in different ways. Often this plot is reflected in early chronicles, and then it is repeatedly written down and presented with variations. There are always many versions of a legend. We chose the option proposed by the wonderful Austrian writer Käthe Reheis. But no matter how the legend is processed, the leading features of its content remain. We have already talked about them.

A few words about translators. The legends were translated by a large team consisting of well-known and young translators. Each with their own professional destiny, with their own style. But there was a unity of views in the approach to the legends. We tried to preserve the accuracy of geographical designations, the features of colloquial speech, and the rather complex and varied language of descriptive storytelling, unlike a fairy tale. We really wanted the reader to feel with us the charming power of Austrian legends.

The basis for the book was a wonderful collection of legends, adapted for children and youth, written by the famous Austrian children's writer Käthe Recheis. It is called “Legends from Austria” (“Sagen aus Österreich”, Verlag “Carl Ueberreuter”, Wien - Heidelberg, 1970). In general, adaptations of legends have been done more than once, but it was this version that attracted us with its simplicity and expressive power.

Before you are the legends of Austria. An amazing, unique country. Created by amazing, unique people. But their essence will be clear to you. After all, this country is a part of a single Earth, and these people are part of a single humanity.

I. Alekseeva.

At the hour when the evening serenely fades away, when the moon shines in the sky and pours its silver light onto the earth, a lovely creature appears in a swarm among the waves of the Danube. Light curls framing a beautiful face are decorated with a wreath of flowers; The snow-white figure is also covered with flowers. The young enchantress either sways on the shimmering waves, then disappears into the depths of the river, only to soon reappear on the surface.

Austria has long been located at the crossroads of routes leading to various European countries. This has resulted in a well-developed hotel industry here. Over many decades, famous hotels have appeared here, arousing great interest among various tourists. Many people associate Austria primarily with the Alps, so the most fashionable hotels are located precisely on mountain resorts- Ischgl, Zell am See, Sölden. Many of these hotels are not just a business, but a family affair, passed down from generation to generation. That is why many establishments eventually become famous far beyond the borders of this country. IN major cities Austria also has many establishments that can confidently be called famous and even iconic. They are usually located in large cities - Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg. The sophisticated tourist has plenty to choose from - five-star hotel complexes or cozy designer hotels, where each room is decorated individually. In Austria there are often small castles that are readily converted into hotels. It’s not always possible to have such a unique opportunity to spend time in a medieval castle and feel like a real aristocrat.

Full of legends. They say that there are three underground passages that the castle is inhabited by several ghosts and that it was here that the alchemist Doctor Faustus stayed...

Plague in Feldkirch - medieval legend

From the direction of Liechtenstein, two ghosts were moving towards the Il River. One carried a broom, the other a shovel... Approaching the river, one ghost said to the other: “Go to the right and dig there, and I’ll go to the left and take revenge there.” So they went in different directions. This was the beginning of a great pestilence. Anyone who just looked at them immediately staggered and turned black. If anyone sneezed at this moment, his temperature immediately rose and he fell dead on the same day. People prayed and asked God for help.

In 1465, 400 people died from the plague in just one year. The salt market, which then took place on the bridge over the Il River, could no longer remain in the city and was moved towards Bludenets.

Soon the plague came to the city again along with the Swedes. Every seventh house inthe city was deserted. They say that the pestilence only stopped when the city's residents promised to build a church. This was the Frauenkirche near the Kursk Gate, the construction of which was completed in 1473.

Today, the Austrian Mint releases the latest silver coin from the “Fairy Tales and Legends of Austria” series. The theme of this issue is “ Ah, my dear Augustine».

The obverse depicts the cheerful singer and musician Augustine, who lived in Vienna in the 17th century at the height of the plague epidemic. At the top in a semicircle is the name of the issuing country: “REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH”. Also engraved at the top of the coin is a curved paper band with the inscription "WIEN 1679". On the right is the denomination of the coin “10 EURO”.

On the reverse of the coin, Augustine is shown in one of the taverns in Vienna, playing his musical instrument for the amusement of the guests and the owner of the pub. One of Vienna's old quarters is visible in the background. Below is the name of the coin on German"DER LIEBE AUGUSTIN."