The Story of Mauterndorf Castle (Burg Mauterndorf)
The ancient Roman road through the Alps was established as early as the fourth century AD. This route ran from Italy to the city of Salzburg. Along the way, in the Mauterndorf area, a toll station was set up in the 11th century to collect taxes from everyone who used this road. The fortified castle was only built in the 13th century under the order of the Archbishop of Salzburg. Its main purpose was for defense, but at a certain point, due to its large size, it also served as the archbishop’s summer residence.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, the castle was owned by the archbishops and served as an administrative center for regional religious affairs. It then passed into state ownership and remained quite neglected for almost 100 years. In 1894, the castle came into the hands of a man named Dr. Hermann von Epenstein (a Jewish man who converted to Christianity), who took care to restore and rehabilitate it. The castle continued to pass between different owners until it was purchased by the government of Salzburgerland in 1968. The castle was restored again in the second half of the 20th century and today serves as an important heritage site and historical museum.
This is what the castle looks like:
What can you see in the castle?
During a visit to the castle, you can tour the various rooms and imagine what life was like for the upper class and nobles in the Middle Ages. On the tour, you can see the living and reception rooms, the dining hall where lavish meals were held, the barn and cellars where grain was stored, and the chapel for the castle’s residents. In addition, you can see the toll station where travelers on the road came to pay their passage fees.
One of the most beautiful parts of the castle is the watch and defense tower, which rises to a height of 44 meters. You can climb the tower and look out over the entire impressive area. The climb to the tower is included in the price of the castle entrance ticket.
Activities for Children
The visit to the castle is suitable for the whole family and has activities for the young and old. In the castle courtyard, there is a playground for children with a variety of fun equipment that resembles a small castle. There is also a tour adapted for children with an audio guide. During the tour, children can hear interesting stories about the castle’s inhabitants. The audio guide is offered in English and also in Russian.
During the summer months, special events are held that focus mainly on the world of knights. Children can join the wonderful world of knights and watch people dressed in the finest medieval costumes fighting, playing, and performing. You can check the event schedule here.
Food and Drink in the Castle
In the castle complex, there is a restaurant that operates throughout the day. In the summer, when the sun is shining, you can sit outside on the restaurant’s sun terrace and enjoy the spectacular view. The restaurant offers meals suitable for parents and children, and they also have a great selection of Austrian wines.
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Opening Hours:
Summer:
- May, June, September, October – Every day from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- July and August – Every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Winter:
- January to early April – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Costs:
- Adult– €14
- Child (6-14) – €5.20
- You can purchase tickets online here
- Free one-time entry for holders of the Salzburgerland Card.
Please note:
- On rainy days, the playground in the castle courtyard will be closed.
- The walk from the castle’s car park to the entrance takes a few minutes and is not a steep climb.
- The castle is not accessible for strollers.
- When you arrive at the castle, you can tour it independently using an audio guide.
Address: Burg Mauterndorf, 5570 Mauterndorf
