Easy hikes and walks around Rastenfeld

At low water level, a rocky bay is formed. At high water level, a rocky island emerges from the water.

From the 15th century onwards, Lichtenfels changed hands frequently until the castle came to Rastenberg in 1628. As the new owners moved their seat of power to Rastenberg, the slow decay of Lichtenfels began in 1774. In 1790, the Freiherrn von Bartenstein, who owned Rastenberg and Lichtenfels, sold the majority of the castle's roof to Stift Zwettl. The reason for this was the roof tax introduced by Emperor Joseph II, which was calculated based on the size of the roof areas. Numerous noble families throughout the country had their cold and uninhabitable castles de-roofed at that time to save taxes. In 1804, the last inhabitant left Lichtenfels castle, which has been owned by the Thurn-Valsassina family together with Rastenberg since 1872. The Romanesque chapel, formerly dedicated to the Apostle Paul, was a destination for small pilgrimages for a long time; the last one took place in 1960 from Friedersbach. Lichtenfels castle ruins can be visited all year round (at your own risk).

From the 15th century onwards, Lichtenfels frequently changed owners until the castle came into the possession of Rastenberg in 1628. As the new owners relocated their seat of power to Rastenberg, the slow decay of Lichtenfels began in 1774. In 1790, the barons von Bartenstein, who owned Rastenberg and Lichtenfels, sold the majority of the castle's roof to the Zwettl Abbey. The reason for this was the roof tax introduced by Emperor Joseph II, which was calculated based on the size of the roof areas. Numerous noble families throughout the country had their cold and uninhabitable castles stripped of their roofs at that time to save taxes. In 1804, the last inhabitant left Lichtenfels Castle, which, together with Rastenberg, has been owned by the Thurn-Valsassina family since 1872. The Romanesque chapel, formerly dedicated to the Apostle Paul, was a destination for small pilgrimages for a long time, the last of which took place in 1960 from Friedersbach. Lichtenfels Castle ruins can be visited all year round (at your own risk).

On a peninsula in the Ottenstein reservoir, the Lichtenfels castle ruins rise picturesquely. Before the creation of the reservoir (1954-1957) and the construction of the federal road B38 with the bridge completed in 1957, the Lichtenfels castle, first mentioned in 1248, stood lonely on a rocky ridge high above the Kamp river. In the 13th century, an important ministerial family resided here, initially bearing the nickname „Tursen“, deriving from Rauheneck castle near Baden, and towards the end of this century took the name „Lichtenfels“. Under their rule were numerous surrounding places, such as Friedersbach, for example. During the Hussite invasions of 1427/28, Lichtenfels served as a storage place for the archives and treasures of the Zwettl Abbey.

The Lichtenfels castle ruins rise picturesquely on a peninsula in the Ottenstein reservoir. Before the construction of the reservoir (1954-1957) and the erection of the federal road B38 with the bridge completed in 1957, the Lichtenfels castle, first mentioned in 1248, lay lonely on a rocky ridge high above the Kamp. In the 13th century, an important ministerial family resided here, initially bearing the nickname "Tursen", deriving from Rauheneck Castle near Baden, and towards the end of this century bearing the name "Lichtenfels". Numerous surrounding villages were under their dominion, including Friedersbach, for example. During the Hussite invasions of 1427/28, Lichtenfels served as a storage place for the archives and treasures of the Zwettl Abbey.

The Ottenstein reservoir, is the largest of the Kamp lakes and is among the richest waters in fish in Austria and at the same time among the best predatory fish waters in Europe. Its water surface is 4.3 km² and extends with its fjord-like, branched side arms, with a length of more than 14 km, up to Zwettl. The deepest point is 69 m.

In the year 1159, Duke Henry II Jasomirgott enfeoffed his vassal Hartung von Rauhenegg and his sons with the Lichtenfels fortress. In 1427, the Zwettl monastery brought its archive and treasures to the hidden forest castle to save the treasures from plundering Hussites. Lichtenfels was still a fortified castle in 1670. From the mid-18th century, the building was neglected.

especially in the evening or early morning 😀 a Tipo