Liechtenstein Castle

Welcome, explorers of the medieval world, to the rugged foothills of the Vienna Woods. We are standing just twenty minutes south of the bustling center of Vienna, near the town of Maria Enzersdorf. …

We have now reached the base of the central tower, known architecturally as the keep or the donjon. Let us analyze the stonework. …

Step out toward the edge of the outer defensive walls, the Zwinger. From this vantage point, you can look down the precipitous drop that forms a natural defense on three sides of the castle. …

We now move into the inner courtyard, the heart of the reconstructed castle. The architecture surrounding you is a fascinating psychological study of the nineteenth century. …

Let us step into one of the most remarkable interior spaces of the fortress, the Castle Chapel dedicated to Saint Pancras. Unlike the vast, echoing halls of the keep, this space is intimate, designed for quiet, aristocratic…

We move now into the grandest interior space, the Knights Hall, or Rittersaal. This vast room was the social and administrative center of Burg Liechtenstein. …

For our final analytical stop within the castle, step out onto the high parapet walk, the Wehrgang, that connects the towers. The physical sensation of the wind up here is exhilarating. …

We have descended from the heights of the keep and returned to the forest path at the base of Burg Liechtenstein. Turn back and look up at the massive stone walls one last time. …