Top 2 Castles in Donau-Auen National Park

The Götzenturm (Idol Tower) is a medieval defensive tower on the city wall of Hainburg an der Donau, built in the 13th century as part of the city's fortifications. Often referred to today as the "Water Tower," the building originally had nothing to do with water supply – the name was erroneously coined by locals. The tower was part of the fortifications for the city's defense and, with its solid construction, small window openings, and elevated position, offers a good overview of the Danube and the surrounding area. For cyclists on the Danube Cycle Path or passing through Hainburg's old town, the Götzenturm is a striking landmark and an impressive relic from the time when Hainburg was one of Austria's most powerful fortress towns.

Water tower (Idol tower), Hainburg a.d. Donau The Idol farm in the north-eastern part of the town was traditionally owned by the so-called Lords of Röthelstein, named after the extensive castle and fortification complex located about 2 km downstream on a steep rock massif above the Danube. The Röthelstein castle was founded around the middle of the 12th century by the Sonnberger family, who originally lived in the central castle on the Schlossberg. In the 13th century they were among the most powerful city ministerials in Hainburg. The Idol farm served them primarily as a power base in the town, as well as for managing their huge properties and fishing grounds in the Danube floodplains opposite, and undoubtedly also for Danube trade. The only, but extremely monumental, remnant of the Idol farm is the one built in the first half or shortly after the middle of the 13th century. The octagonal Götzenturm, built in 1444, forms the north-east corner of the city fortifications. Its first and second floors were used exclusively for military purposes (mainly to cover the nearby harbor area), while the third floor with its late Romanesque double windows undoubtedly served a representative residential function. The adjacent eastern city wall is probably one of the few places in the city fortifications that, like the Vienna and Hungarian gates and the castle's ring wall, had an external defensive gallery from which the attackers could be fought effectively from above. This information was kindly provided by Mr. Mag. Scholz and Mr. MMag. R. Woldron. Many thanks to the Monument Office, the Vienna City and State Archives, the Boltzmann Institute and the Lower Austrian State Archives. Text / Source: Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, Schlossgasse 3, A-3620 Spitz/Donau https://www.donau.com/de/roemerland-carnuntum-marchfeld/imx/ausflug-freizeit/der-wasserturm/e30b7b356921629ae2dc8079dbed134b/

Eckartsau Castle, the headquarters of the Donau-Auen National Park of the Austrian Federal Forests, also has an information point for the Donau-Auen National Park including a castle café and the WILD°WECHSEL exhibition. Visit the national park information point, which will advise you on your personal excursion wishes. Ask about the most beautiful hiking and cycling trails or book a guided excursion in the Donau-Auen National Park on land and water. You can also book castle tours here. The castle café will spoil you with pastries, small snacks and cold and warm drinks while you rest in the idyllic courtyard of the castle. The WILD°WECHSEL exhibition tells the story of the transformation from an imperial hunting ground to a national park: Of course, the Donau-Auen cannot be easily put into two rooms. But interesting views and insights are guaranteed here. Roam through the floodplain forests on a special kind of stalking trip. Find your way. Observe and explore the surroundings. Become the target of others. Race through time and see for yourself. Cross the turbulent stream of history with its stages. From the monarchy to the present day. Become a part of our history! Spot animals, master the hunting language and become a goal scorer. Prepare to be surprised - at second glance everything is different. Visiting the exhibition is free of charge.

There is not much left of the castle ruins, but it offers a great view of the Danube floodplains.

The former imperial hunting lodge Schloss Eckartsau, headquarters of the Donau-Auen National Park operation of the Austrian Federal Forests, is idyllically nestled in the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park. A wide range of offers for nature experiences, historical tours and national park information await you at this location.

The Röthelstein ruins are located on a 30 meter high rocky outcrop on the Danube east of Hainburg, directly opposite the Theben ruins on the Arpad rock in Slovakia. Röthelstein secured the Danube flow on the Austrian side for centuries, and Thebes did this for the Hungarians and Slovaks. Röthelstein Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1180. The first known Röthelsteiners were Ulrich, Heinrich and Irnfried, who were ministerials of the Vohburgers, once one of the most powerful noble families in this area, between 1170 and 1209 and were in their service as lords of the castle. Source: https://burgenkunde.at/niederoesterreich/ruine_roethelstein/ruine_roethelstein.htm

The octagonal water tower or "Götzenturm" - the first name comes from its location on the Danube - is a remnant of the "Götzenhof", one of the city castles that were built within the city walls by high-ranking ministerials of the Babenberg princes. The tower, as you can see it now, was built in several phases: The Romanesque tower was built in the first half of the 13th century and originally had three floors. On the second floor you can still see two walled-up battlements from the former closure. In the second half of the 13th century, another representative floor with arched bifore windows was added, two of which are still preserved. A wooden beam used in this construction phase could be precisely dated; the spruce was felled in the winter of 1239/1240. After a partial collapse, it was rebuilt in the late Gothic period. A high entrance with a drawbridge was added to the first floor. Today you enter the tower through this entrance. Towards the end of the 15th century, an earth wall was built around the ground floor for defensive purposes and the interior was filled with earth (source: https://www.kulturerbe-hainburg.at/info/geschichte/).

Water Tower (Idol Tower), Hainburg The Götzenhof in the north-eastern area of the city was traditionally owned by the so-called Lords of Röthelstein, named after the extensive castle and fortifications located about 2 km downstream on a steep rocky massif above the Danube. Incidentally, Röthelstein Castle was built around the middle of the 12th century. Founded in the 13th century by the Sonnberg family, who originally sat in the central castle on the Schlossberg. They were among the most powerful city ministers in Hainburg. The Götzenhof served them primarily as a power base in the city, as well as for managing their huge possessions and fishing grounds in the opposite Danube meadows, and undoubtedly also for Danube trade. The only, but extremely monumental, remnant of the Götzenhof is the one from the first half or shortly after the middle of the 13th century. Built, octagonal idol tower, it forms the northeast corner of the city fortifications. Its 1st and 2nd floors fulfilled exclusively military tasks (especially covering the nearby harbor area), while the 3rd floor, with its late Romanesque double windows, undoubtedly served a representative residential function. The adjoining eastern city wall is probably one of the few places in the city fortifications that, similar to the Vienna and Hungarian Gates and the curtain wall of the castle, had an external defensive gallery from which the attackers could be fought effectively from above. This information was kindly provided by Mr. Mag. Scholz and Mr. MMag. R. Woldron provided. Many thanks to the Monument Office, the Vienna City and State Archives, the Boltzmann Institute and the Lower Austrian State Archives. Text / Source: Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, Schlossgasse 3, A-3620 Spitz/Donau https://www.donau.com/de/roemerland-carnuntum-marchfeld/imx/ausflug-freizeit/der-wasserturm/e30b7b356921629ae2dc8079dbed134b/