Burg Rappottenstein

The Rappottenstein Castle is a medieval castle in Rappottenstein in the northwest of Lower Austria. The castle was never conquered, and therefore one of the best preserved castles in Austria.

History

In 1150 founded Rapoto of Kuenring in the Waldviertel to defend the possessions of Kuenringer a number of castles, the most powerful Rappottenstein was.

The Castle Rappottenstein came from the very beginning to be of great importance. On the one hand she was in the middle of the vast holdings of Kuenringer - so it was so stable center in a troubled time. On the other hand, they also protected an ancient, today in the municipality of detectable side branch of the Peheimsteiges, who led the country through the North Bohemian forest of the Danube. In addition, the Castle Rappottenstein formed one of the strongest links in those incurred at the riverbank of Kamp chain of fortifications, which approached the task of protecting the country against incursions of Bohemia and therefore also the Babenbergermark to provide edge protection.

After the fall of Kuenringer the castle in 1305 came to the Lords of Dachberg, 1423 Family Starhemberg and 1546 to the Lords of Landau. Rebellious peasants besieged the castle in 1597, but could not take it. Also Swedish troops besieged the castle in 1645 in vain.

Finally, the castle in 1664 came by purchase to the current owners, the Counts Abensperg - Traun. Whose current possessions to Rappottenstein in Wolkersdorf in Maissau, in the wine district, in the Waldviertel and the industrial district, lie, in which case special mention Maissau and Petronell are.

Architecture

The castle is one of the few that have never been conquered, and never gets destroyed. It is a unique example of medieval military architecture with elements of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance:

  • Romanesque: tower in the south
  • Gothic: Parts of the east wing, chapel, Knapp Hall in the east wing, Knapp kitchen and Archives Room
  • Renaissance: Brauhaus, arcades in the west wing, two towers at the entrance gate. These two towers have a rarity on a double weir bay. Most gates of the palace were once protected by drawbridges.

The Brauhaus in the first courtyard has some window with Sgraffitoumrahmung. The second goal was to 1548 the main entrance. In the third yard, the farm buildings, a cistern and the legendary dungeon are the " dungeon ". The courtyard is bordered on the west by three-storey Renaissance arcades, in the east and south by the Knapp Hall and to the north by Knapp kitchen. To the east of the farm located on the first floor two late Gothic windows. The "Archive" has a gothic star vault and frescoes from the " Danube School ".

In the north of the castle, a garden terrace with the clock tower is a pendulum clock. The striking of this clock is that it has only an hour hand. The weights are raised daily.

Chapel

The Gothic castle chapel was consecrated in 1379. It is two stories high and has walls three meters thick. There are twelve Weihkreuze on the walls. The vault ribs rest on beautiful consoles. The altarpiece dates from the 15th century and was restored in 1947.

Showpieces in other places

Some of the Castle Rappottenstein today can be seen in other places: For example, in " Luis Room " Franzensburg in Laxenburg a ceiling, the two door panels, doors Rappottenstein from the time to see in 1600.

Current usage

Under the name of children castle Rapottenstein offers the Red Cross Lower Austria traumatized families support in misfortune or bereavement. The premises are as well as the stables for the therapy animals by the owner family family Abensperg and Traun provided.

On TV

In the broadcast, the castle - Prominent in chain mail on ProSieben viewers should be shown on the basis of the inner life of the castle Rappottenstein how people in the Middle Ages lived in a castle. The moderator was broadcast in 2005 by Sonya Kraus and Elton. Parts of the movie " The Whore " were filmed at the castle.

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