Burgruine Eppenstein

Ruin Eppenstein

The Eppenstein Castle is a medieval castle above the village Eppenstein in the western Upper Styria. The area belongs to the district Mur.

Location

The former hill fort is located directly above the village Eppenstein on a steep rocky spur at around 736 meters above the Adriatic. In the Middle Ages led below the castle - the narrow Granitzental - an important north -south trade route across the Obdacher saddle.

History

Eppenstein castle is first mentioned in 1160 in records in the possession of the noble family of Traungau. But probably it goes back to a built from the 10th century wooden castle. The Marquis of Eppenstein named themselves after this castle (see Eppensteiner ). The family died, however, already in 1122, and the castle came into the possession of the family of Wildonier. When they participated in a conspiracy against the Bohemian king Ottokar, the castle was confiscated and occupied by followers of the king who ruled during the interregnum parts of Austria.

After Ottokar's defeat against the Habsburgs in the Battle of the Field March 1278 succeeded the Wildoniern to occupy the castle again. Ottokar's followers who remained at the castle, were all massacred, the castle was, however, soon changed hands: it followed as lords of the Carinthian dukes, gender Colledo, Nádasdy Pranckh, Sessler, digging and others. In 1478 the castle was extensively rebuilt in the Gothic style, but changed more frequently the owner. Among other things, it was conquered by a Hungarian army. Actually, the castle was impregnable and only fell by treachery. After a devastating fire and an earthquake, the castle was indeed rebuilt, but obsolete with the construction of the castle New Eppenstein. She fell to the state where it is today. Currently the castle club Eppenstein tries to renovate the ruins and restore.

Plant

The castle is designed as a vertical and circular castle. The donjon was centrally located on the highest point of the rock. Since it was a hill fort, the construction of one additional Motte was not necessary. The keep was surrounded by a pentagonal ring wall. The massive gatehouse was secured by a ditch, which could be crossed by a drawbridge. The Torburg and Pallas with keep put the massive defenses of the castle represents the ring wall protected primarily existing within the castle outbuildings. It was then rebuilt in the Gothic period and two bastions, artillery should take. Access to the castle is only possible through a narrow gate. Therefore, the former assumption, the castle was impregnable.