Top 8 Castles around Auffach
Best castles around Auffach offer insights into the region's history and architectural heritage. Located in the Wildschönau Valley, Auffach is surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps, providing a scenic backdrop for these historic sites. The area features a mix of medieval fortresses and later period residences, often situated on strategic hills or promontories. These structures reflect centuries of regional development and cultural shifts.
Best castles around Auffach
- The most popular castles is Matzen Castle, a castle that was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century. It features an English-style landscape garden from the 19th century, making it a notable historical site with extensive grounds.
- Another must-see spot is Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle, a religious building and castle perched on a rock. This site became a pilgrimage church after a Marian miracle in the 18th century, drawing many visitors to its richly decorated Chapel of Mercy.
- Visitors also love Itter Castle, a magnificent 19th-century building. It served as a border fortress of the Regensburg monastery and has a significant historical background, including its role in World War II.
- Auffach is known for its medieval fortresses, pilgrimage sites, and historic residences. The region offers a variety of castles to see and explore, each with its own unique history and architectural style.
- The castles around Auffach are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 180 upvotes and over 120 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle
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Rattenberg Old Town
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Matzen Castle
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The English-style landscape garden from the 19th century was created from a marshy Innauer forest. The 15-hectare park includes areas in the municipalities of Brixlegg and Reith im Alpbachtal, with the eastern part of the municipality of Brixlegg being protected as a natural monument in 1961 and the western part of the municipality of Reith in 1972. Due to changes in the municipal boundaries, most of the facility now belongs to Reith, with the exception of a small plot. The park is one of the most important garden architecture monuments in Austria. It includes four artificial ponds, wide lawns and around 40 different species of trees.
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Kropfsberg Castle
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The nursing home was only built around 1753. The middle tower was hit by a bomb in 1945, but later rebuilt. The current owners are the Dkfm family. H. Vogl-Fernheim. The castle, one of the most stately in the entire country, was built around 1200 or even earlier by the archbishops of Salzburg to protect their possessions in the Zillertal and was managed by castellans and keepers. The most striking features of the castle are its three mighty towers, originally crenellated and not habitable, of which the sophisticated and specially walled main tower shows particularly careful and regular stonework and the others were later raised with residential floors.
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Itter Castle
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Tips from the Community
Together with the castle park, it forms an impressive ensemble.
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A stately castle and estate where you can stay in style, eat fine food, and take a leisurely stroll through the park.
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A very nice park, especially for children and older people, as there's hardly any incline. There's even a playground for children surrounded by beautiful trees. You can also eat or just have a drink there. Unfortunately, we didn't have time because we had to catch the train, but the atmosphere is wonderful.
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The smallest town in Austria with just under 500 inhabitants is the ideal stage for your holiday and a wonderful place for walking, enjoying and shopping! In the medieval pedestrian zone, the traditional glass factories provide plenty of variety. From the Schlossberg you have a beautiful view of the city, the Inn and the Tyrolean mountains.
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One of the largest castle ruins is located in the municipality of Reith im Alpbachtal, directly on the national road near St. Gertraudi. It is the only castle with three towers. The advanced keep in the west, the Romanesque fortress with two keep towers, a round wall and the residential building (care home), once a gate tower. Kropfsberg was a border fortress of the Archdiocese of Salzburg. The first buildings were erected around 1147 and the palace was rebuilt around 1217. The first documented mention of the castle dates back to 1296. The nursing home was only built around 1753. The middle tower was hit by a bomb in 1945, but later rebuilt. The current owners are the Dkfm family. H. Vogl-Fernheim. The castle, one of the most stately in the entire country, was built around 1200 or even earlier by the archbishops of Salzburg to protect their possessions in the Zillertal and was managed by castellans and keepers. The most striking features of the castle are its three mighty towers, originally crenellated and not habitable, of which the sophisticated and specially walled main tower shows particularly careful and regular stonework and the others were later raised with residential floors.
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Rattenberg may carry the title of “city”, but it has barely 440 inhabitants and extends over barely 11 hectares. This also makes Rattenberg the smallest city in Austria. The city, which managed to preserve its medieval cityscape, was often a bone of contention between Bavaria and Tyrol. The town has been part of Tyrol since 1504. Rattenberg became famous mainly thanks to glass processing. Almost everywhere in the narrow streets you will discover shops selling beautifully crafted glass.
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The smallest town in Austria has a picturesque location between the Inn and the Schlossberg. The medieval pedestrian area includes carefully restored mansions and is characterized by many glass companies. As a result, Rattenberg became known as a glass city. The Augustiner Museum with Tyrolean art treasures, the nailsmith's houses from the 12th century, the parish church and the Kisslinger glass-blowing house of Kisslinger are definitely worth a visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there family-friendly castles to visit near Auffach?
Yes, several castles in the region offer a family-friendly experience. Matzen Castle features an extensive English-style landscape garden from the 19th century, perfect for a stroll. Kropfsberg Castle, one of the largest castle ruins with three towers, can also be an interesting site for families to explore its historical grounds.
What historical periods do the castles around Auffach represent?
The castles around Auffach span various historical periods, reflecting centuries of regional development. Matzen Castle was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, with its grounds showing evidence of Bronze Age and Roman settlements. Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle dates back to the 14th century, becoming a significant pilgrimage site in the 18th century. Itter Castle, though a magnificent 19th-century building today, has origins as a border fortress possibly from after 900 AD, and was rebuilt after peasant uprisings in 1526.
Are there castles near Auffach that offer scenic viewpoints?
Yes, several castles provide excellent views of the surrounding Tyrolean Alps and valleys. Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle is perched on a rock, offering wonderful panoramic views. Itter Castle is also noted for its beautiful location and scenic vistas.
Can I find parking facilities at the castles around Auffach?
Parking is available at some locations. For instance, Matzen Castle is known to have parking facilities, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near the castles in the Auffach area?
The region around Auffach offers various outdoor activities that can be combined with castle visits. You can find numerous running trails, such as the 'Schatzbergbahn Valley Station loop from Wildschönau' or 'Hotel Platzlwirt loop from Wildschönau'. For more challenging adventures, there are mountain hikes like the 'Vordere Feldalm – Feldalphorn Summit (1923 m) loop from Wildschönau'. Gravel biking routes are also popular, including the 'View of the Zireiner See – Alpbach Village loop from Alpbach'. You can explore more routes in the Running Trails around Auffach, Mountain Hikes around Auffach, and Gravel biking around Auffach guides.
Are there any religious or pilgrimage sites among the castles?
Yes, Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle is a prominent religious site. It became a pilgrimage church after an 18th-century Marian miracle, drawing many visitors to its richly decorated Chapel of Mercy, which is accessed via 142 steps.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the castles near Auffach?
Visitors appreciate the historical depth and scenic beauty of the castles. For example, Mariastein Pilgrimage Church and Castle is praised for its 'wonderful pilgrimage church built on a rock' and 'beautiful pilgrimage church with a wonderful view.' Matzen Castle is noted for its 'nice park and carp pond and good for eating,' highlighting its pleasant grounds and amenities.
Which castle near Auffach has a connection to World War II history?
Itter Castle has a significant connection to World War II. It served as a subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp and gained historical fame for the Battle for Itter Castle on May 5, 1945, where US Army and Wehrmacht soldiers fought together against members of the Waffen SS.
Are there any castle ruins to explore in the Auffach region?
Yes, Kropfsberg Castle is one of the largest castle ruins in the municipality of Reith im Alpbachtal. It features three mighty towers and was originally a border fortress of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, with parts dating back to around 1147.
Is there a castle near Auffach with an English-style garden?
Matzen Castle is notable for its English-style landscape garden, which was created in the 19th century. This 15-hectare park includes four artificial ponds, wide lawns, and around 40 different species of trees, making it one of Austria's most important garden architecture monuments.
What is the history behind Lanegg Castle?
Lanegg Castle, also known as Lanegg Tower and Lanegg Residence, is a listed building first mentioned in 1568. It was owned by the Faber von Lanegg family from 1600 to the early 19th century. The building is a compact four-storey residential tower, likely from the late Middle Ages, with a round stair tower added in the 16th century.
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