Austria is rightly called the land of castles. Old fortresses neighbor each other, turning a huge house with spires against the background of forests and mountains into an ordinary landscape. Every castle is worth the time spent. Thick walls, towers, arches and paved squares tell their own unique story.

The Oberkapfenberg Castle is located on a high hill above Kapfenberg, among hills embraced by centuries-old trees. The first mentions of it are attributed to 1173. The history of the neighboring city starts exactly with the castle. However, the family, who founded the castle, did not own it for long. The elder son of the first owner became one of the participants of the nobility rebellion against the king in Styria. The rebellion was surpassed, and all those who resisted were taken into custody. According to the king’s order, the army ruined the Oberkapfenberg Castle as a punishment for disobedience. Only centuries later, in the 15th century, the castle got its current appearance.

The interior and exterior are made in the Renaissance style. Lots of towers of different forms and sizes, round and rectangular, small and big – all create a united ensemble with a cozy yard. Gray brick walls covered with ivy, roof tiles do not look gloomy but fit smoothly into the overall landscape. Wooden balconies decorated with emblems, small windows and lots of entrances and exits – all this makes the construction especially charming.

At the beginning of the previous century, a hotel was opened there, and in the middle of the 1990s, it was turned into a tourist center. Today people can stay there for several days to organize a conference or a business meeting. They may wander around the museum or visit exhibitions: in the armory, you will be familiarized with bows, arrows, swords, axes, knights armor, shields and many other thematic exhibits. If you have a strong stomach, then you may take a look at the torture chamber. You will be undoubtedly satisfied with the exhibition of the Middle Ages costumes and everyday items, as well as the exhibition “Time Travel with Crusaders and Alchemists.” You can taste national dishes in an atmospheric restaurant.