Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

1. First impressions

It is grand. It dominates the landscape, and down at its base you feel small, and the way to the top you think it's for those well trained mountain hikers. But on one side, where the parking lot and the ticket office are, there is an elevator similar to the one going up to the Citadel of Deva, on a dizzying line in 2 angles, with an inflection point. Also here at the ticket office we find out that you can also go up on foot without any problems, and I even recommend this option because it has its own charm as it crosses 14 gates. There is also the possibility to go up with the elevator and get off on foot, but I assure you that you do not have to miss the gates and that the effort is much less than you imagine and access is easy for anyone, even with breaks.

I decided to go up and down per pedes and I congratulate myself for the choice. The charm of visiting this castle is to cross its 14 gates and then at the top, in the castle itself to visit the museum. Come with me! Each gate has a name, and most of them have a year. I'll give them as I passed through them.

2. Fähnrichtor (1575), Wächtertor (1577), Nautor (1578), Engeltor (1577)

Fähnrichtor (1575) is the first gate or entrance gate, let's call it. It is beautiful, with a mural painting of 2 black-yellow and red-white flag bearers and ... welcoming, is it? The position of the gate is a strategic one, because on the left there is a rock, and on the right an inaccessible land.

Waechtertor (1577) is the Guardian Gate. It is positioned immediately below the high cliff on one side, on the other prominent above the area with a vast surveillance radius. The gate is clad in marble, the windows have iron grills, and a staircase leads to a plateau from where stones could be thrown at the enemy.

Nautor (1578) is a gate with a narrow access.

Engeltor (1577) is the Angel Gate. This gate has a drawbridge attached to it. It was first built in the 12th century. It has a red sandstone portal, thus standing out. It also houses a small exhibition of cannons (Guard Museum), uniforms and military equipment.

3. Löwentor (1577), Manntor (1579), Khevenhüllertor (1582), Landschaftstor (1582)

Löwentor (1577) is the Lion Gate. Originally the wings of the gate were painted with lions. I noticed a cross and a Jesus in relief. This gate also had a drawbridge.

Manntor (1579) is the Man Gate. This is an interesting defensive construction. Passage to it is by a wall from which the enemy could be attacked.

Khevenhüllertor (1582) is considered the most beautiful with a round arch, a lion's head and the Khevenhüller coat of arms. In a niche is a bas-relief depicting the founder of the castle George II of Khevenhüller in military equipment.

Landschaftstor (1582) is the Belvedere Gate. From here there is a wide view down the valley. You appreciate how far you have climbed without feeling particularly exerted.

4. Reisertor (1575), Waffentor (1576), Mauertor (1575), Brückentor, Kirchentor (1579), Kulmertor (1576)

Reisertor (1575) is the Traveler's Gate. From here there's a wide view down the valley. You appreciate how far you have climbed without feeling particularly exerted.

Waffentor (1576) is the Gate of Arms. On it, above the round archway, is painted the face of Archduke Karl von Innerösterreich (Inner Austria).

Mauertor (1575) is the Wall Gate. It gets its name from the walls made of chlorite schist.

Brückentor is the Bridge Gate. It has a vertical mechanism for the drawbridge at its base.

Kirchentor (1579) is the Church Gate. From it forks a short road to the fortress church.

Kulmertor (1576). "The "Kulmers" were the caretakers of the castle. It also has a vertical-fall gate. It's the last gate before entering the castle proper.

The 14 gates and their additional defense systems, made this castle certainly very difficult to conquer, maybe impossible. Imagine what it would mean to conquer gate by gate, not to mention the fact that once you pass through a gate, the wheel can turn and you can be trapped prisoner between two gates. But let's see what ...

5. Burgmuseum

Today the castle is tickling Burgmuseum (Citadel Museum). Here are exhibited documents, pictures depicting members of the Khevenhüller family. In a separate room outside, we saw armor, weapons, but also a 20 meter cistern in which rainwater was collected, because until the 20th century the castle had no water.

6. Burgkirche

Burgkirche is the Fortress Church. The church is reached from the penultimate gate. It has a neat courtyard where I could talk to the caretaker of the place. It is situated a bit lower than the castle, because from the penultimate gate to the last gate and then to the castle it is another climb. Even though the church belongs to the castle, it was permanently open to the general population.