Today Hohensalzburg Castle houses the Fortress Museum and The Medieval Princes' Apartments are worth a visit

Hohensalzburg Castle located in the city of Salzburg, Austria was constructed in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard and was significantly enlarged by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach between 1495 and1519 and has become one of the largest, fully-preserved fortresses in central Europe.

During the Hungarian and the Peasants' War in which the province of Salzburg was involved, the archbishops sought refuge within the castles walls. It was during this time that an arsenal and granary were added by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach between 1495 and 1519. The castles exterior has remained substantially unaltered since then.

The castles interior was richly decorated and intricate Gothic wood-carvings and ornamental paintings used to decorate the Golden Hall and the Golden Chamber. The 58 insignia and coats of arms with the beetroot are in memory of Leonhard von Keutschach. The castles symbol, the lion, holds the beetroot in its paws. One of the last major modifications undertaken was the addition of the great Kuenberg bastion.

Throughout Hohensalzburg’s long and colourful history, the castle was never conquered by enemy troops and remains one of the few castles to achieve this status in Austria.

Not only did Hohensalzburg serve as a temporary residence for the prince archbishops for many years, the castle also served as military barracks and as a prison. Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich was held captive in the fortress for five years by his nephew and successor, Markus Sittikus, up to his death in 1617.

Since 1892, access to the castle has been by funicular railway departing from the Festungsgasse.

Today Hohensalzburg houses the Fortress Museum and the medieval princes' apartments are worth a visit.

Tourist Information

Jan-Apr, Oct-Dec: 9.30 am-5 pm*

May, June, Sept, advent-weekends, Easter: 9.00 am-6 pm*

July, Aug: 9.00 am-7 pm*

*Last entrance 30 min. before closing

For handicapped people, the visit is difficult and only possible by prior arrangement (no facilities for handicapped)

Admission fees:

Fortress Card: Combination ticket for roundtrip with funicular, entrance to forteresse courtyards, tour with audio-guide (8 languages), forteresse museum, Rainermuseum, "World of Marionettes".

Adults € 9,80

Groups of 10 or more € 8,90

Youth (6-15 years) € 5,60

Youth groups € 5,10

Family ticket (2 adults and up to 5 children under 15) € 22,60 Free with Salzburg Card!

Ticket without ascent, can be obtained at the entrance of the forteresse:

Adults € 8,60

Groups of 10 or more € 7,80

Youth (6-15 years) € 4,90

Youth groups of 10 or more € 4,50

Family ticket € 19,70

Free with Salzburg Card!