Orth Castle

Orth Castle, locally known as Schloss Orth, lies north of the town of Orth an der Donau, in the province of Lower Austria in Austria.

Orth Castle, probably built around 1140 by the Lengenbach family, was first mentioned in 1201. Then it was a moated castle with 4 corner towers.

In the 15th century the castle was the scene of disputes between Emperor Frederick III and the Lower Austrian Estates, who regarded Ladislaus the Posthumous as their rightful sovereign. In August 1452, the castle was occupied by an army of the Estates, under the leadership of Ulrich von Eyczing. After Ladislaus' death in 1457, new turmoil ensued: in 1460, an imperial army laid siege to the castle held by Gamareth Fronauer. Fronauer escaped through underground passageways, whereupon the castle was captured without a fight.

Orth Castle was destroyed in 1529 during the passage of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent on his way to the Siege of Vienna. When the Ottomans had retreated to Hungary after their unsuccessful siege, the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style by Nicholas, Count of Salm.

During the 17th century it was used as a hunting lodge and further expanded in baroque style around 1680. In 1824 it was bought by the Habsburg dynasty. Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, had the castle refitted in a late historic style in 1873, he also used it as a hunting lodge.

The castle has an irregular square shaped ground plan with 4 square corner towers. Its southwestern wing has gone.

At present Orth Castle is used as a museum, visitor center of the National Park Donau-Auen and office. Sadly enough the museum was closed when I came by. A nice castle.

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