Castles & Fortresses

The Kaiserliche Hofburg (Imperial Palace) once was the seat of Tirol’s sovereign princes. After extensive restoration work, the Imperial Palace returned to its former 18th century rococo-style splendour. Giant’s Hall, Guards’ Hall, Empress Elisabeth Apartment and Chapel give visitors a palpable sense of the elegance and wealth of the former Habsburg Dynasty.

Picturesquely perched on a hill high above Innsbruck, Schloss Ambras Castle is the focal point of a delightful English landscape garden. Archduke Ferdinand II had the medieval Ambras castle converted into the present Renaissance castle to display his collections of world-wide fame. The beautifully preserved romantic Renaissance-style castle includes Europe’s oldest collection of arts, armouries and books.

Perched on a hilltop between Jenbach and Schwaz high above Inntal Valley, this imposing Renaissance castle now belongs to the Counts of Enzenberg. Spreading over 6,800 square metres, Schloss Tratzberg Castle is the very embodiment of a 16th century Tirolean castle that proudly stands as a reminder of our past and reflects the medieval glory in which the nobility of yesteryear lived. As you wander through the vaulted halls of magnificent Tratzberg Castle you will learn about the families who dwelled here. Its ornate Habsburg Hall with the enormous family tree of the House of Habsburg, the Gothic Fugger Parlour, the King’s Room, valuable artworks and paintings and the impressive arcaded courtyard await your exploration.

The historic small town of Hall has a rich mining and minting heritage with Burg Hasegg Castle and the Mint Tower being the landmarks of this medieval town. The castle was originally erected to protect the salt mines and the town. The castle's mint was established by Sigismund, Archduke of Austria in the 15th century and extended by Emperor Maximilian I. When Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria had the old mint transferred to Hasegg in 1567, Hall experienced a decisive upswing.

This remarkable fortress with its imposing walls and towers dominates the landscape of Reutte as much today, as it did centuries ago. When you visit over 700 year old Burgenwelt Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble, prepare yourself for an adventure through time. Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle ensemble. Imagine what life was like when the fortress provided protection and security from invaders. From the moment you cross the drawbridge you will be enthralled by an extraordinary experience. Brave squires can join in the living re-enactment with historic armours and will be knighted for their services.

Towering high above the historic small town of Kufstein, Festung Kufstein Fortress bears witness to the turbulence of centuries of border wars between Germany’s Bavaria and the Austrian Tirol. Visitors can step back in history at the amazing Fortress and Local Heritage Museum.

In East Tirol, legacy is best explored at medieval Schloss Bruck Castle, the landmark of Lienz and a beautiful building filled with local history. The famous medieval fortress has a museum chronicling the region's rich heritage, arts and nature and holds the largest collection of Austrian expressionist painter Albin Egger-Lienz.

In the magical setting of 12th century Schloss Matzen Castle, which is not open to the public, the delightful English landscape garden is a romantic oasis to sit and muse or just escape the ‘madding crowd’. Dating from the late 19th century, the beautiful garden is now restored to its former splendour. The garden's centrepiece – the Lion Pond and the Carp Pond with the Nympheum, a sanctuary consecrated to water nymphs, reflects the former epicurean philosophy and lifestyle of the castle.

Standing sentinel above the small town of Landeck, this 13th-century hilltop castle is visible from afar. Schloss Landeck Castle was erected around 1290 to serve as seat of court and administration. Located on the Via Claudia Augusta, the Historic Roman Road, the castle remains as evidence of its turbulent history. Landeck Castle's heyday was during the reign of the Knights of Schrofenstein. Today, Landeck Castle is the landmark of town and serves as a local heritage museum and cultural center.

Perched high above the entrance to the Kaunertal Valley, Burg Berneck is an 11th century fortress which has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. It is open to visitors during the summer months.