Burg Pürnstein

Castle Pürnstein today

The Pürnstein Castle is one of the best preserved fortifications in Upper Austria. It is located in Upper Austria near Neufelden high above the Great Muehl.

History

In 1010, a weir is mentioned as episcopal castle of Passau on the site for the first time. The first documented owner was Alram de birchenstaine in 1170, a ministerial of Blankenberge. In the 13th century, the castle of the Rosenberger 12131 come into the possession of the Prince-Bishopric of Passau. The bishops can administer the castle by viscount, but they had to pledge need of money often.

From 1309 to 1311 Jakob de Strachner was called as a fief taker. 1337 sold Hans chapels of the castle to Dietrich von Harrach. In 1344 the castle was to Ulrich III. of Tannberg. To 1402, the castle was a fief of Passau and 1437-1451 attended the passauischer nurse Erhard marshal there.

No later than 1455 gain Star Hemberger the castle, then extended it as the today still existing Upper or New Castle. Here, a large part of the old castle was demolished and built a completely new fortress of a piece, the last castle or the castle first. On July 20, 1449, the castle chapel was consecrated. Part of the ruins of the original fortifications are also preserved to this day. 1493 bequeathed the Passau canon Balthasar from Starhemberk castle and lordship Pürnstein his cousin Gregory of Starhemberg. 1526 Pürnstein was a refuge from the Turks, before it was sold in 1572 to Lienhard von Harrach. 1611 Karl Jörger bought the castle in 1621, Emperor Ferdinand II after the expropriation of Jörger a part of the castle of the Counts of Harrach Leon hand. However, the Bishop of Passau, Leopold Wilhelm of Austria demanded the return of the castle, as it was a fief of Passau. 1660, the castle to the public secretary of the bishop of Passau has been pledged. 1681 Castle of Johann Maximilian Steiner was triggered by Plain Felden. 1774 an annex was built by Cardinal Firmian of Passau, the castle gate was renewed.

1782 came Pürnstein by a treaty with Austria, the end of 1802, the diocese of Passau lost worldly possessions, thus Pürnstein. In the 19th century the property changed hands several times, from 1813, the castle was owned by Michael Planck Planck's castle, from 1818, it had Brother Francis, in 1828, Johann Freiherr von Bartenstein, after the industrialist Carl Christian Müller was the owner. A fire on September 7, 1866 destroyed the entire interior with all wooden parts and the roof of the inner castle, only the chapel was spared. The cause arson is specified. However, parts of the buildings added later, most of the 17th and 18th centuries are habitable today.

1883 Carl Müller gave the castle to his daughter Ida. Between 1880 and 1958, was Pürnstein owned by Margarete Reichner, then was Karl Reichner ( great-grandson of Gustav Müller ) the owner. The castle is threatened by decay, 1958 began with a thorough restoration. The current owner and the Association for the Preservation of the castle Pürnstein take care of preservation and renovation of the castle.

• Castle Pürnstein
• Castle Pürnstein
• Castle Pürnstein: Lower entrance gate
• Castle Pürnstein: access
• Castle Pürnstein: upper castle with tower

Construction

The castle is located on a north- west and steep terrain. The spacious facility has five semi-circular towers. The main door leads into the outer bailey. The main castle can be reached by the upper castle gate. The main castle is a large, hexagonal residential castle. The courtyard measures 17 x 13.5 meters.

In the central Palas are the knights' hall, living room, kitchen, chapel and the castle courtyard. The palace is surrounded by a defensive wall with five towers. The thickness of the walls is up to six meters.

In the quarry, a district of Neufelden, located on the outside wall of the branch church hl. Anna the epitaphs of several castle owners of Pürnstein ( Marga Reichner, Gustav Adolf Müller, family Weissenbach ).