Hohenwerfen castle offers guided tours through its ancient rooms, and in the castle courtyard, there are many events and activities for children. In addition, there is a daily bird of prey show for visitors, presented by the Salzburg State Falconry Center.
This is what Hohenwerfen Castle looks like
The Story of Hohenwerfen Castle
Since the dawn of history, high mountains have served as natural defensive walls against invaders. The valleys between the mountains were the only way to pass through, so whoever controlled the valley, controlled the entire region. Especially in the mountainous Salzburgerland, control of the valleys was of paramount importance. For this reason, Hohenwerfen was established.
Built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard on a steep 623-meter hill, the castle overlooked and controlled the Salzach Valley. It was one of three fortified castles protecting Salzburg in the Middle Ages. Expanded in the 12th century, it served as a military stronghold. In the 16th century, rioting peasants burned and looted the castle during religious conflicts.
It took several years to restore the castle to its former glory. The castle was rebuilt to become even more fortified, incorporating fortification technologies specially imported from Italy. Even in the 17th century, during the Thirty Years’ War, additional structures and fortifications strengthened the castle.
During the Napoleonic Wars, in which the Holy Roman Empire lost to Napoleon’s army, the castle came under the control of Bavaria and became a prison for criminals or political prisoners. Due to its use as a prison, the castle was neglected, and its inhabitants suffered from terrible living conditions.
After returning to Austrian hands following the Congress of Vienna in 1814, Emperor Franz Joseph ordered a major restoration of the castle, which lasted about nine years and returned it to its original state. Later, in 1896, Archduke Eugen purchased Hohenwerfen Castle and used it both as a private residence and as a hunting lodge.
In 1931, a large fire broke out in the castle , and parts of it were destroyed as a result. It underwent renovations for about a year, and in 1938, it came under the ownership of the Salzburg province.
A fire in 1931 damaged parts of the castle, which were repaired within a year. In 1938, ownership passed to the Salzburg province. Until 1987, the castle served as a regional police training center, and it is now a museum.
Visiting Hohenwerfen Castle
The fortress is now considered a popular destination for families, with plenty of activities for children. The visit to the fortress begins with a comprehensive tour of its ancient rooms, where you can see the old interior design, furniture, armories, the inner courtyard, the bell tower, and the chapel. The tour is also suitable for children, and you can get an audio guide with a special track for the little ones. The standard audio guide is available in several languages for adult visitors.
Besides the tour, there are many activities for children throughout the fortress complex. During the summer, there are various medieval-style games such as building a wooden castle, ring tossing, archery, and an obstacle course tournament for the whole family (the tournament takes place on weekends only). On certain days, there are also larger events with actors dressed as knights presenting medieval-style battles. Be sure to check the fortress’s event schedule.
Another very impressive attraction is the bird of prey show. Every day, there are several flight demonstrations featuring eagles, falcons, owls, and more. The training of these birds is a long-standing art, and at the show in the fortress, you can see the abilities of these impressive animals and learn about the world of the falconers and the art of falconry. There is also a museum with information on the history of falconry.
This is what an exciting visit to Hohenwerfen Castle looks like
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Getting to the Fortress:
You can easily reach the fortress entrance using the funicular that departs from the car park area at the foot of the fortress. It is also possible to make the ascent on foot. From the car park, it is about a 15-minute walk uphill through the forest to the Castle. We recommend wearing suitable walking shoes for hiking on terrain.
Opening Hours:
The fortress is open from March 30 to November 4.
- April 1 – April 30: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed on Mondays, except on public holidays.
- May 1 – end of September: Every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- July 14 – August 15: Every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- October 1 – November 2: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed on Mondays, except on public holidays.
Guided Tour Times (duration is 50 minutes):
- April, October, and November: Continuously from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- May – September: Continuously from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- July 14 – August 16: Every hour from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Additional tours will be offered if necessary.
Bird of Prey Show:
- April 1 – July 13: 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM.
- July 14 – August 15: 11:15 AM, 2:15 PM, and 4:30 PM.
- August 16 – November 2: 11:15 AM and 3:15 PM.
Costs:
The standard admission ticket includes the funicular ride (ascent and descent), a tour of the fortress, exhibitions in the fortress, the bird of prey show, the falconry museum, and a quiz for children. (The games in the fortress courtyard cost an additional €3. Available from May to September only in good weather).
- Adult – €20.90
- Child – €7.60
There is a discount of about 10% for those who arrive at the fortress before 10:00 AM. The discount can be obtained when purchasing tickets online.
Free one-time entry (excluding the cost of the cable car and special events) for holders of the SalzburgerLand Card.
Official Website
Address: Hohenwerfen adventure castle, Burgstraße 2, 5450 Werfen
Map
Other Attractions in the Area
- About a 20-minute drive from Hohenwerfen Fortress is the world’s largest ice cave. This is a wonderful place to combine with a visit to the fortress. You can find more information in our detailed article on the Ice Cave.
- About a 20-minute drive north of the fortress is the beautiful town of Golling, and nearby are the wonderful Golling Waterfalls. You can find more information in our detailed article on the town and the waterfalls.
- About a 30-minute drive from the fortress are the ancient salt mines of Hallein. This is a fun place for the whole family. You can read comprehensive information about the salt mines in the detailed article we have prepared.
