Mauterndorf castle
dating from the 13th century sits on a rock to the northwest town
of Mauterndorf. As the southernmost
region in the province of Salzburg, the Laungau region has a very special
appeal to visitors. The extraordinary pristine landscape also fascinated Salzburg’s
archbishops, who occasionally used Mauterndorf Castle as their summer residence. During this time off the Romans, a central trade route
connecting north and south ran across the Hohe Tauern Mountains past what is
now the town of Mauterndorf. During the 13th century Salzburg
cathedral chapter had Mauterndorf Castle built as former tall station to
protect the market town. The cathedral dean Burkhard von Weisspriach and
Archbishop Lonahard von Keutschah enlarged the fortification during the 15th
century.
Mauterndorf
castle remained in the possession of the Cathedral Chapter and served as its
administrative center until 1806, when passed to the government. Increasingly threatened
by decay since the beginning of the 19th century, it was purchased
by Dr. Hermann Epenstein, a wealthy military doctor from Berlin in 1802 and
restored it at great expensive.
The
province of Salzburg purchased the fortification from the Republic of Austria
in 1968. The historic building was rehabilitated from 1979 to 1982.
Todau
Mauterndorf castle is an impressive historic structure with a rich historical
past.
