Château de Hohenwerfen

Werfen, Austria, Austria

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Château de Hohenwerfen, better known as Hohenwerfen Castle or Festung Hohenwerfen, is a large medieval fortress perched on a 155‑metre‑high rocky pillar above the market town of Werfen in the Salzach valley, about 40 kilometres south of Salzburg in Austria.

Built between 1075 and 1078 by the Archbishop of Salzburg, it forms a “sister fortress” to Hohensalzburg and was designed as a strategic stronghold during the Imperial Investiture Controversy.

Over the centuries it served as a military garrison, prison, and hunting lodge before becoming a state‑owned museum and family attraction, now offering guided tours, a weapons museum, and an active falconry where visitors can see spectacular bird‑of‑prey shows.

The castle is easily reached by car or train from Salzburg and is a popular excursion spot thanks to its dramatic hilltop setting and well‑preserved medieval walls.