Burgruine Gutrat

Castle ruins Gutrat: residential tower

The ruins Gutrat, also Gutrath, old written Guetrat, is the ruin of a rock castle at Hallein in Salzburg in Austria.

Location

The castle is perched on a limestone cliff visible from far above the Salzach Valley. The castle extends from north to south, following the narrow castle rock.

History

The Gutrat castle was to protect the rediscovered in the 12th century Saline at the foot of Tuval -Bergs north of Hallein on behalf of Archbishop Adalbert III. built. As a builder of the castle Count of Hohen Werfen Werfen Chuno - Schnaitsee was commissioned.

Chuno of throwing was one of the most respected Ministerialen ( service men) the Archbishop of Salzburg. Chuno is called early in 1209 about his new free own castle, "from Gutrat ". At that time, the castle may have been already completed. The fortress Gutrat should strengthen the power of the archbishop over the Salzach Valley and the disputed ownership with the prince provost Berchtesgaden final judgment for Salzburg.

After the salt was dried up, the castle lost rapidly in importance. Around the year 1300 the gender of the Gutrater fell while the Archbishop of Salzburg in disgrace. The formerly free Gutrat own castle came into the possession of the archdiocese and was awarded the Gutratern as a fief. After the death of the last Gutrater 1304 the castle was left to decay.

Castle ruins Gutrat outdoor wall

Castle ruins Gutrat: holes for wooden ceiling

Castle ruins Gutrat: Auwirt, starting point for the ascent

Plant

Is obtained from the once prestigious investment today only slightly. Nevertheless, the castle Gutrat is a very interesting plant. At the highest point of the rock, in the north, the palace is located at the joining of former donjon directly. Upstream from the south of the main castle are two polygonal atria, which are closed at its southern end by a small gate tower. Access to the castle is via a narrow ridge, which is also protected on the southern cliff edge, the turning point of the access path from a small tower-like structure.

The ruin has been exquisitely renovated 2004; it is privately owned. From the hamlet of Au in Hallein can be generated starting cross the main road from Auwirt and hike the Salzquellenweg up. After about an hour away on a family- friendly way the ruins Gutrat.

The tomb of Gutrater is located in Salzburg Sebastian Cemetery.