Burg Hohenwerfen - Werfen
The castle sits enthroned atop a rocky, 113 m-high dome, clearly visible from the north and south, at the northern end of the market town of Werfen. Construction of the Hohenwerfen fortifications was initiated by Archbishop Gebhard von Salzburg (1060–1088) in the years 1075 to 1078. The castle was originally built as a very unostentatious structure with a focus on the bare essentials. 100 years after the crusades, the embrasures, defensive oriels, keep and flanking towers were added.
The first completed castle fortifications date from between 1127 and 1142. After this, the archbishops of Salzburg halted further significant building activity. In 1525, at the time of the Peasant Wars, Hohenwerfen Fortress was set afire and damaged.
The subsequent renovations saw construction of the first gatehouse for the gate watch, as well as a small bastion including the Wallerturm tower, a covered walkway (the Riemergang) and the Dark Stairway.
Until 1534, significant improvements were made to the bailey, the reason being the imminent Turkish threat. As the builder of this newly remodeled fortification, we above all hear the name of Archbishop Johann Jakob Khuen von Belasy, who had the castle renovated with the help of Italian master architects, giving it much of the character we know today. In 1898, Archduke Eugen acquired the castle and made it into his family’s stately home. It also housed a big art and weapons collection.
In 1931, a smoldering fire took hold in the castle, destroying broad portions of the east wing, the south wing with its chapel tower, as well as the north wing. Some of the inventory, as well as the bell tower with its big bell – the Burgahnl – were saved. Nevertheless, the damage was considerable.
The fortress was partially repaired under Archduke Eugen, but he was forced to sell the castle in 1938 to the region’s National Socialist regional government. During World War II, the Nazi Party’s education center was housed in the castle.
With the end of the war, ownership of the castle transferred to Salzburg province. It was first used as a training center for the rural constabulary, but since 1987 has been opened to tourism. In 1968, the castle served as a Hollywood backdrop for the movie Where Eagles Dare with Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton.
In 2003, the castle became the shooting location for a French hotel in the movie Just Married with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. Hohenwerfen also served as the set for a five-part miniseries, The Tenth Kingdom
Today’s Attractions:
- The Burgahnl, as the 4412 kg-heavy bell in the bell tower of Hohenwerfen Fortress is nicknamed, was cast in 1568 in Innsbruck by Hans Christoph Löffler. On high church holy days, the bell continues to be rung to this day.
- Likewise its clock, ca. 1720/25, originally a verge clock, it was rebuilt into a pendulum mechanism in around 1900, restored in 1987/88, since which time it has continued to work.
- Weapons room
- Dungeons
- Medieval tournaments, medieval banquets
- Museum of Falconry and bird-of-prey shows
Burgstraße, 2
5450 Werfen
Tel.: +43 (0) 6468/7603
E-mail: office@burg-hohenwerfen.at
Salzburg-Bischofshofen