Information History Visitors' program Educational progam Incentives, MICE Virtual tour
Admission Events Map, contact
Registration for
group tours

History of Hohenwerfen Fortress

Approx. 40 km south of the city of Salzburg, Hohenwerfen Fortress towers above the Salzach Valley as a strategic bulwark built atop a 155 meter rock.

The castle is majestically surrounded by the mighty Tennengau and Hagen mountain ranges. The fortification is a "sister" of Hohensalzburg Fortress and also dates back to the 11th century. The Salzburg district administration took possession of the castle in 1938.  It was used as a training camp by the Austrian rural police until 1987. It was  enlarged and renovated several times over the centuries.

Hohenwerfen served as a prison for many centuries. Rulers such as Archbishop Adalbert III (1198), Graf Albert von Friesach (1253), the Styrian governor Siegmund (1525) and Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau (1611) were held captive here.
Today the castle is used as an "Adventure Castle" featuring a variety of events such as concerts, theater performances and folklore evenings as well as castle celebrations.

The historic Falconry Center is a special attraction, offering daily flight demonstrations by various birds of prey.

Special group tours

A theme tour of the fortress reveals details of Josef Steinwender's life as a prisoner.

Special tour "The Dumb Prisoner"

Knightly feasting

The mighty fortification from the 11th century not only served as the scene of countless movies but is also an ideal venue for celebrations and events.

Event rooms

Event tips

Special events are held at Hohenwerfen Fortress at least twice a month.

Calender of events

Folder Hohenwerfen Fortress

  Hohenwerfen Fortress (PDF)