Burg Oberranna

When you catch your first glimpse of the Burg Oberranna perched romantically in the wooded hills above the Wachau Valley, it will be love at first sight. Once you are across the moat and through the castle gates, the enchantment only increases. When the Nemetz family originally saw the castle, they too were quite taken with its singular beauty. At that time the elderly owner was not ready to sell, but on that first visit, a certain inexplicable rapport developed between the elderly lady and the Nemetzes’ little girl, and years later, when forced by health to sell, the owner remembered the Nemetzes and wanted them to have her home. When they took over, the castle was in sad disrepair and had only one bathroom. Luckily, Herr Nemetz is a talented architect and has sensitively restored the castle into the gem you see today. The decor is outstanding, with antiques used throughout in a way that creates a relaxed, friendly ambiance. Just off the cozy tavern (warmed by a roaring fire in winter) is a superb terrace stretching to the castle walls. Here tables and chairs are set so that guests can savor the view down the Wachau Valley far below. Of the twelve rooms, seven are suites. Because the rooms are so popular with guests who come for an extended stay, Frau Nemetz is understandably reluctant to book far in advance for one night. The best solution is to make this your hub for exploring this lovely area.

A fairy-tale castle – undoubtedly the most apt description for this uncomplicated, yet multi-faceted noble possession, located just a few minutes from the wine-growing community of Spitz, in Austria’s Wachau region, as you head northwards towards the Waldviertel;

Immediately upon entering this magical place, an opulent abundance of details reveals itself before the guest.  The suites and rooms serve as refuges, breathing the spirit of days long past. Valuable antiquities, wrought-iron fixtures, secluded window alcoves, paintings from centuries past, hunting trophies and countless nostalgic ornaments: all contribute to an unmistakable feeling of comfort and well being. As a guest here, you quickly feel right at home within these old castle walls.