Poised like a stone sentinel above the Salzach Valley, Hohenwerfen Castle blends raw medieval muscle with mountain‑rimmed drama. Raised by Salzburg’s archbishops during the Investiture Controversy, its thick walls, needle‑roofed towers, and echoing belfry still command the narrow Alpine pass. Today, falcons cut the sky where soldiers once stood guard, and a funicular glides visitors to centuries of stories carved into the rock.
Quick Facts
📍 Location: Werfen, Salzburg, Austria
🏗️ Construction Period: 1075–1078
🏰 Architectural Style: Romanesque core with later Gothic additions and 16th‑century bastioned fortifications
🎭 Famous For: Investiture Controversy origins; dramatic cliff‑top setting; falconry shows; 16th‑century bastions and rare rotatable embrasure; 4‑ton storm bell; WWII training center
👑 Notable Figures: Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg; Prince‑Archbishops of Salzburg
🏆 UNESCO Status: No
🌐 Official Website: https://www.burg-hohenwerfen.at/en/
Gallery Photos
Visiting Information
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: April, May, late September, and October
🗺️ Location Perks: Its 155‑meter rock spur commands sweeping views over the Salzach Valley and the Berchtesgaden Alps. The panoramas are as memorable as the fortress itself.
⏳ Estimated Visit Duration: Plan to spend 2–3 hours exploring the castle and its grounds.
💡 Visiting tips: Check falconry flight show times and guided tour slots in advance. Wear sturdy footwear for steep stairs, and consider the funicular if you prefer to save your legs.
Map
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Historical Context
Built between 1075 and 1078 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg amid the Investiture Controversy, Hohenwerfen guarded the narrow Salzach corridor from a 155‑meter crag. Over centuries it evolved from a Romanesque stronghold to a complex with Gothic accents, 16th‑century bastions and barbicans, and a rare rotatable wooden embrasure. Its belfry holds a four‑ton bell cast in 1568 that once warned of storms. The fortress was seized during the 1525 Peasants’ Revolt, later served as a prison in the Thirty Years’ War, became a police training site in the 19th century, and was used by the Nazis in WWII. Today, it welcomes visitors with guided tours and living falconry heritage.
