Hochosterwitz Castle

Hochosterwitz is a wonderful old castle that looks exactly as a castle is supposed to look—majestically capping a very precipitous miniature mountain and displaying a hodgepodge of turrets, thick walls, and towers. This castle would certainly do justice to a fairy tale. The castle is visible long before you actually arrive and impossible to miss. You cannot drive up to Hochosterwitz, so park your car, put on your sturdy shoes, and start your hike. It will take you about half an hour to walk to the castle, but the walk is really the essence of the castle and a sightseeing excursion in its own right. Ascending the hill, you pass through a succession of 14 gates designed by the most famous castle-fortification architect of the Middle Ages. Thanks to his skill, the castle was never conquered. You will soon see why this stronghold was never conquered. Each gate has its own unique brand of protection—one has holes through which hot oil was poured upon the invader, another has a moat, another a drawbridge, another hidden spikes, another fire-torch slots, and so on. If the enemy was clever enough to conquer one gate, he was sure to be defeated before the final entrance. Just as you draw close to the top, a path leads off to a beautiful little chapel on a ledge overlooking the valley far below. Take the time to walk over to it. Not only is the view lovely, but the church interior is splendid in its combination of simple white walls and ornate gold altar. Upon reaching the summit, you will find a small museum, a central courtyard, a nice restaurant, and magnificent views.