Greifenstein Castle, Sankt Andrä-Wördern, Austria

Greifenstein castle overlooks the Danube river. Approximately opposite is Burg Kreuzenstein, on the north shore of the Danube. The castle is thought to be built around the 11th century, and was first mentioned in 1135. However, the owners of the castle changed owners frequently during its service from the 11th century to 1918. It began life playing a significant role in the defense system along the Danube.

More recently, in the 16th century, the castle served primarily as a notorious prison of the ecclesiastical court. Throughout history, the castle was repeatedly invaded and damaged, but repaired, again and again. It was inhabited until about 1770, when it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Until 1803, it belonged to the Bishops of Passau.

Johann I von Liechtenstein refurbished it in 1807–08 in the Romantic style but at the end of the 19th century, the castle fell again and was sold in 1918, coming into private ownership.

Today The castle has remained in private ownership and is presumed to be on sale.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

tom vie (3 years ago)
Privately owned, a small sight in passing.

Franz Steiner (3 years ago)
Beautiful hiking trails

Monika Schuckert (4 years ago)
Something different ? than usual. Looks more like a very large villa. 3 stars because on the hiking trail (circular hiking trail via Hadersfeld) from the Lourdes Grotto to the castle, trucks are constantly, really constantly driving.

Andreas Huber (4 years ago)
Hadersfeld is a very beautiful place, located in the northern Vienna Woods, on one of the hills that separate the Danube Valley and the Kierling Valley. There are very beautiful vantage points, across the Danube, along the Danube valley to the west, but also to Ötscher, Rax and Schneeberg. Wonderful, gentle circular hiking trails lasting several hours can be started from Hadersfeld, but also from one of the two valleys that connect Hadersfeld. Hadersfeld Castle is an old building that has been revitalized and used by several parties as a second home in the countryside.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Prince Roy

Historic Site of the week

Stobi

Stobi was an ancient town of Paeonia located near Gradsko. It is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in North Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon (Crna River) joins the Axios (Vardar), making it strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare.

Stobi developed from a Paeonian settlement established in the Archaic period. It is believed that in 217 BCE, Philip V annexed Paionia during his campaign against the Dardani who had entered Bylazora, the largest Paeonian town.

The city was first mentioned in writing by the historian Livy, in connection with a victory of Philip V of Macedon over the Dardani in 197 BC. In 168 BC, the Romans defeated Perseus and Macedonia was divided into four nominally independent republics. In 148 BC, the four areas of Macedonia were brought together in a unified Roman province. In the reign of Augustus the city grew in size and population.

Greifenstein Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Stobi