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You are here: Home / Photo Blogging / On The Road / On The Road – otmar – Two less well preserved castles (2/2)

On The Road – otmar – Two less well preserved castles (2/2)

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On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.

From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.

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Today we have the second of two castles from ottar!  After today, for the next two weeks I hope to have entries from First Timers.  We  have 4 so far, that leaves 6 more to go.   Come on, First Timers, I know you’re out there, with some great photos.  I hope you’ll share them with us.  ~WaterGirl

The following weekend, we also hiked in a park east of Vienna.

This time it was the “Wüste” in Mannersdorf. The name Leithagebirge (“Mountains of the Leitha river”) is a slight exaggeration; this string of hills wouldn’t be called “mountains” by anyone who is used to the Alps.

Anyway, there are archeological marvels in there.

On The Road - otmar - Two less well preserved castles (2/2) 6
The monastery

Translated from the website:

The former monastery of St. Anna was founded by Eleonora of Mantua in 1644 and, after being destroyed by the Turks in 1683, flourished in Maria Theresa’s time.

Since the Discalced Carmelites are a contemplative order, the monastery was closed in the wake of the abolition of Josef II on September 1, 1783.

Parts of the monastery buildings were assigned to a forester; other parts together with the monastery church served as storage rooms for a long time and fell into disrepair.

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Ruine Scharfeneck

This area of the monastery is fenced in by a stone wall. Hiking up and reaching the first ridge of the hills, we meet Ruine Scharfeneck.

It dates back to the 11th century, played a role in typical medieval feuds for power and possessions in the 14th and 15th century. Its location in the border region between Austria and Hungary made it interesting.

The last real use of the monastery was as a refuge during the second Ottoman siege of Vienna.

On The Road - otmar - Two less well preserved castles (2/2) 4
Ruine Scharfeneck

This castle has been left to itself for quite some time. It’s spooky to visit as it’s just there in the wood. No guardrails, no concrete securing old masonry and certainly no “access for handicapped”.

There is just a sign saying “you really shouldn’t enter”, but I guess that’s only for the village to avoid liability in case something happens.

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Ruine Scharfeneck

Still more pictures from the outside.

The castle layout is a square with extended corner fortifications and a round tower in the courtyard.

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Inside Ruine Scharfeneck

Walking inside the courtyard, you can see the remnants of rooms and windows.

On The Road - otmar - Two less well preserved castles (2/2) 1
Inside Ruine Scharfeneck

Some more impressions.

On The Road - otmar - Two less well preserved castles (2/2)
Ruine Scharfeneck

Climbing up the remnants of the central tower (which was destroyed by a lightning strike in 1555) treats you to a view over the pains in the direction of the eastern fringes of the Alps.

Reader Interactions

10Comments

  1. 1.

    otmar

    Sheesh, there are a lot of typos in my submission. Sorry about that.

    Anyway, my next one will be yet another castle: Festung Hohensalzburg.

  3. 3.

    J R in WV

    Great spooky pics of a great old pile of ruins. Again, Thanks for sharing, Otmar.

    You’re the only way for us to visit central Europe right now, and we’re grateful for this!

    I’ve always liked old ruins. The very mysterious ancient ruins of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and SE Colorado are fascinating. IIRC I’ve submitted some photos of Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly.

  4. 4.

    arrieve

    I love old ruins. I’d love to see this by moonlight (well, not me personally, obviously, as I would break my neck tripping over rocks.)

    Thanks for sharing, otmar.

  5. 5.

    otmar

    @JPL: I spent the last weekend in Salzburg. Travel restrictions per se have been lifted weeks ago, that was not the problem.

    But for visiting my mother I waited for the results of my antibody test.

    I took the train. On one leg it there were many free seats. On the other, I’d rate that it ran at 40% occupancy.

    Austria is far ahead on the re-opening.

  6. 6.

    otmar

    @arrieve: Friends told me that they camped there, including late night bbq on an open fire. Sounded like fun, if you’re into that thing.

  8. 8.

    Redshift

    Cool, I love castles. I’ve visited my share of castles and ruins of castles/monasteries in the UK and Ireland. I didn’t know that the Holy Roman Empire has also had an abolition of monasteries.

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