While traveling to Salzburg and the Hellbrunn castle on the
motorway from the south, we saw green valleys and high mountains. The motorways
were crossing these mountains through tunnels along with the increasing traffic
towards the city of Salzburg. After running out from one of these tunnels
we saw the Hohenwerfen Castle for the first time, sitting on one of those green
hills. It was like a castle from a fairy tale.
You can reach the Hohenwerfen castle either with cable car or on foot. After seeing the elevation of the hill, we were happy enough with the cable car. In the Castle you can walk around
with an audioguide. The tours leave together and you have to stay together.
Though the guide in Medieval dress sheperded us quite fast, somehow I could catch
up with the spiel on the audioguide by the end of the tour. Some people already
lost the track from the beginning.
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The Hohenwerfen Castle from the motorway |
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The elevator from the parking slot |
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Inside the castle, surrounded by the mountains |
We started the tour with a little
chapel, then while walking upwards to the upper tower we stopped on each floor to listen to
the history of the castle. It used to be a tower, then it became a prison. It has a sense, as from the ascent hill it looks almost impossible
to escape. We also saw some Medieval weapons as well as the currently working
clock machine and the bell, which the guide rang us even twice. On the
upper floor of the tower we stepped out on a little stage from where we could
look out and see the surroundings. Rocky and green mountains around, divided by
valleys. It was so windy though that I had to grab either my camera, my
sunglasses or the audio guide not to lose them.
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Working tower clock |
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Ancient clock system |
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Castle and surroundings from the tower |
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Castle bell |
Going down some volunteers could
try walking on stilts, or sit in the bar to have some rest with a
cooling beer. Sometime during the day there are several shows with falcons. (We did not wait for it.) Dropping by the souvenir shop was however already part of our daily
routine.
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Down in the yard |
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Posing with a knight |
Tips:
While the entrance fee of the castle is covered with the Salzburgerland Card, the cable car costs extra money. For budget travelers, you can also walk up in the castle on foot.
About Tiny Girl With Big Bag
Hobby writer and autodidact photographer whose passion is to travel and get to know new people and cultures. She has been on 4 continents and 30 countries, and the outcome is this travel blog where she shares travel stories, thoughts, tips and photography always through a subjective eye.
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I love castles and this one looks amazing! I've not been to it even though I've been to Salzburg twice :) I think I'd take the elevator up at least.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first saw it from the motorway, we almost fell out of the car trying hard to take a nice picture.. it looks fabled :) Soon will post an entry about Salzburg (my first time!), I am curious about your thoughts on that, too! :)
DeleteThis does indeed look like a fairy tale castle! I love the choice of either walking on stilts or sitting and have a beer - very funny. Choices are important!
ReplyDeletehaha, very good point, i like this one :)
DeleteI'm a castle junkie, and this one suits my taste very well. I think that's what a proper castle must look like.
ReplyDeleteI agree! This castle was absolutely beautiful. Another question how you get up on the hill :)
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