Bernstein Castle

P3

Burg Bernstein from east

Burg Bernstein Bernstein in Burgenland was first mentioned in the 13th century.

Location

High above the Tauchental it is the highest castle in Burgenland.

History

860 AD, belonged to the whole territory of the archbishopric of Salzburg. Erimbert, a vassal of the archbishop, gave the location of the country Pinka his service man, the "Miles" Jacobus. The place name Rettenbachferner is not yet known, but the Old Slavic name of the nearby hamlet Grodnau = the castle belonging to the village indicates that close already was a castle, and while it may have been only amber.

From 1199, the castle belonged already to the Kingdom of Hungary. As the owner of Miczbán de genere Akos was named. It is not known exactly when the castle was transferred to the Duke Frederick II of Austria and how long did the possession, but conquered in 1236 Bela IV of Hungary, the castle. Years later ( 1260 ) he gave it to Count Henry II of Güns.

In 1336 the Counts of Güssing and amber from Hungary King Charles Robert of Anjou were decisively defeated, the castle Bernstein was then drafted into the Hungarian Crown Estate. 1388 the castle to the Kanizsay family was pledged. 1389 this began to rebuild the ruined castle. In 1392 the castle was the property of Kanizsay.

Nearly a hundred years later ( 1482 ) became the castle temporarily in possession of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary. After a few years Hans von Königsberg received in 1487 the castle as a pledge of Emperor Friedrich III.

1529 and 1532 the Turks besieged the castle but could not capture it. Then the bastion wreath was established to rebuild the castle as a refuge.

In 1604, the castle of Bernstein a combined army consisting of Hungarians, Turks and Tatars, was besieged in vain through under Stephen Botchkay weeks. Ludwig Königsberg was in 1617 the Gothic interior construction of the castle barockisieren, keep and towers were demolished. A little later Ehrenreich Christopher Koenigsberg sold 1644 mansion and castle of Count Ádám Batthyány. It was not until nearly two hundred years later (1864 ) sold Gusztáv Batthyány the castle to his manager Edward O'Egan. The heirs sold O'Egans 1892 the castle to Eduard von Almásy. A prominent member of this family was the pilot and desert explorer László Almásy. Today the castle is situated in the possession of this family. 1953 a part of the castle was converted into a comfortable resort hotel.

One legend has it that haunt the castle, the White Lady of amber.

Plant

The sprawling building was in 1529 and 1532 was besieged by the Turks. Because they withstand the siege, it was converted into a refuge. The building was damaged and then the Baroque style by an explosion of powder magazine in 1617. Worth seeing is the Knights' Hall in the first half of the 17th century, which has a magnificent stucco ceiling.

The castle is a hotel with restaurant ( registration required). The Alchemist's Kitchen and the torture chamber from the 16th century with museum exhibits can be visited.

Gallery

Outer Castle Gate

Interior Castle Gate

Castle tower

Aerial view

Note

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