Hohenwerfen Castle

Sometimes, movies inspire us to travel to other places. The 1968 movie ''Where Eagles Dare'' and the mini series ''The 10th Kingdom'' were the reasons why my husband and I went to Werfen, Austria to see the great Hohenwerfen Castle.

Located above Salzachtal valley with a very dramatic view, the castle is surrounded by the Berchtesgaden Alps and the Tennengebirge Mountain Range.

Built as a fortress during the 11th century by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg to protect the Salzburg Archbishopric against the forces of King Henry IV.  In the later period, it was not only used as military base but also as a hunting retreat by the archbishops of Salzburg. The castle was also used as a prison for Protestants and some noblemen. Rulers like Archbishop Adalbert III, Count Albert of Friesach and Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau were held prisoners in Hohenwerfen Castle.

Nowadays, the castle exhibits a collection of historic weapons and is also a museum of falconry.


Hohenwerfen Castle
Address: Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen, Austria
Coordinates: 47° 28′ 55″ N, 13° 11′ 16″ E
Admission: €15