Groppenstein Castle

Semslach, Austria

First mentioned in historic documents in 1254, Burg Groppenstein was built in a particularly beautiful place, where the River Mallnitz flows into the River Möll. In the 15th century it was turned into a defence in the style of the late Middle Ages. In 1872 the castle was renovated by the Viennese architect Adolf Stipperger, and its exterior design has since been unchanged.

The Romanesque wing was replaced by Gothic dwellings and weirs with towers and battlement walls. The Knights Hall features beautiful, 16th century stained glass windows. Other glass paintings were added by Prof. Franz Chvostek, who owned the castle from 1936 to 1944.

Also worth a visit is the castle chapel consecrated to St. Katharina with its gothic aisle and semi-circular Romanesque apse.

References:

obervellach-reisseck.at

Address

Semslach 20, Semslach, Austria

See all sites in Semslach

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Austria

More Information

www.obervellach-reisseck.at

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Niederfalkenstein Castle (4,9 km)

Gmünd Castle (27,1 km)
Mauterndorf Castle (43,4 km)
Millstatt Abbey (33,3 km)
Sanctuary of Mount Lussari (57,5 km)
Lienz Friary (34 km)
Sommeregg Castle (28,5 km)
Bruck Castle (35,1 km)
Gurina (31,2 km)
Aguntum (30,1 km)

User Reviews

Vincenzo (3 years ago)
Looks good from a distance, the building is private so you can't go in.

Miroslav Ficza (8 years ago)
Its private. No public access.

Ed Stekelenburg (8 years ago)
We went there to visit the waterfalls. It was amazing and nature is great. The return route is not that spectacular and the last part is unexpectedly hard to do... But if you have no problems with that, you must go there!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.