austria

Kreuzenstein Castle rises proudly above the hills north of Vienna, a fairytale silhouette that seems almost too perfect to be real. Seen from below, its towers and battlements appear to emerge straight from a storybook, framed by trees and glowing warmly in the afternoon sun. The castle stands on the site of a medieval fortress destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, later rebuilt in the 19th century by Count Wilczek, who combined genuine medieval fragments with romantic imagination. The result is an extraordinary mix of authenticity and fantasy, where history meets artistry in stone.

Schloss Eckartsau and Schloss Karlstein are two picturesque castles I have had the pleasure of visiting recently. To be honest, the first one, Schloss Eckartsau, is open to the public, including its extensive parks and gardens. The second one, Schloss Karlstein, can only be admired from the streets of Karlstein an der Thaya, Austria, where it is located. Schloss Karlstein is privately owned, so unfortunately, no tours or public access are available.

Falkenstein: The Ruined Castle on the Austrian Countryside

Perched atop a hill, surrounded by lush green fields, Falkenstein Castle stands as a testament to the rich history of Austria. The ruins of this medieval fortress bear witness to the events that have shaped the nation's past. The castle's imposing structure, its walls rising from the earth like a ghostly apparition, is a sight to behold. The sun casts an otherworldly glow, illuminating the intricate stone carvings that adorn the walls.

Embarking on a picturesque journey along the enchanting River Danube in Austria, I found myself immersed in a day of exploration and scenic delights. Despite a somewhat chaotically organized start, where disembarking and boarding occurred multiple times, the overall experience was a captivating sojourn.