Hohenwerfen Castle (German: Burg Hohenwerfen) stands high above the Austriantown of Werfen in the Salzach valley, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) south ofSalzburg. The castle is surrounded by theBerchtesgaden Alps and the adjacentTennengebirge mountain range. The fortification is a "sister" of Hohensalzburg Castle both dated from the 11th century. Hohenwerfen Castle is 623 metres (2,044 ft) above sea level. Alternatively it was used as a state prison and therefore had a somewhat sinister reputation. Its prison walls have witnessed the tragic fate of many 'criminals' who spent their days there – maybe their last – under inhumane conditions, and, periodically, various highly ranked noblemen have also been imprisoned there. Source: Wikipedia
The former fortification was built between 1075 and 1078 during the Imperial Investiture Controversy by the order of Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg as a strategic bulwark atop a 155-metre (509 ft) high rock. In the following centuries Hohenwerfen served Salzburg's rulers, the prince-archbishops, not only as a military base but also as a residence and hunting retreat.
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| Shot from the castle, overlooking the gardens. 2004 |
The fortress was extended in the 12th century and to a lesser extent again in the 16th century during the German Peasants' War, when in 1525 and 1526 riotous farmers and miners from the south of Salzburg moved towards the city, laying fire and severely damaging the castle.In 1931 the fortress, since 1898 owned by Archduke Eugen of Austria was again damaged by a fire and, though largely restored, finally had to be sold to the Salzburg Reichsgauadministration in 1938. After World War II it was used as a training camp by the AustrianGendarmerie (rural police) until 1987
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