Castles and heritage in Upper Austria

Upper Austria’s architectural landscape is defined by medieval fortifications, Renaissance estates, and religious landmarks. This selection spans from the salt-mining heritage of Hallstatt’s Rudolfsturm to the moated castles of Wildenau and Irnharting. It includes the Cistercian monastery at Baumgartenberg and the unique mosaic-clad Glasscherbenvilla. These sites offer insight into the region's defensive history, ecclesiastical influence, and noble residential styles across the Traunviertel and Innviertel districts.

Upper Austria Castles & Heritage — Map

Thomas Ledl / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Broken Glass Villa

Also known as Ostuzzi-Villa, this unique residential building is distinguished by its facade decorated with glass fragments and colorful mosaics.

Andreas Wahra / Public domain

B

Rudolfsturm

A medieval defense tower situated at the entrance of the Hallstatt salt mine valley, originally built in the late 13th century to protect the mines.

Luckyprof / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

C

Schloss Walchen

A Renaissance castle located in Vöcklamarkt, featuring a classic four-wing layout and historical ties to the local nobility.

Lisa Lugerbauer / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Burg Altpernstein

A 1,000-year-old medieval castle in Micheldorf, featuring a dungeon, a chapel, and views over the Kremstal.

Luckyprof / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

E

Burg Walchen

The remains of a medieval fortification located in the Vöcklamarkt region, situated near the later-built Renaissance castle of the same name.

Luckyprof / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

F

Schloss Riegerting

A Baroque castle in Mehrnbach, reconstructed on the site of an earlier structure and known for its well-preserved period architecture.

Magdalena285 / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Schloss Wildenau

A moated castle located in Aspach, characterized by its defensive water features and historical role in the Innviertel region.

Lewenstein / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Schloss Leonstein

A historic castle complex in the Steyrtal, featuring architecture that spans several centuries and serves as a prominent landmark in the Traunviertel.

Pepito Tey / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

I

Schloss Oberweis

A Renaissance castle in Laakirchen, currently serving as a private estate with historical architectural features from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Georg Matthäus Vischer / Public domain

J

Schloss Irnharting

A former moated castle in Gunskirchen, notable for its defensive layout and historical significance within the Wels-Land district.

K

Europagymnasium vom Guten Hirten Baumgartenberg

A secondary school housed within a former Cistercian monastery, featuring a significant Baroque collegiate church and monastic cloisters.

L

Pfarrkirche hl. Nikolaus

A Roman Catholic parish church in Altenmarkt, recognized as a protected heritage site for its religious architecture and historical interior.

M

Kirche Maria Neustift

A significant pilgrimage church featuring Gothic foundations and later Baroque additions, serving as a focal point for regional religious heritage.

N

Burgruine Wartenfels

Wartenfels Castle is a ruined castle in the state of Salzburg, Austria.

Other Lists

Oberösterreich's Absolute Essentials Upper Austrian Culinary Delights Alpine Huts and Views Austrian Religious Sites Upper Austria Recreational Activities Upper Austria's Water Wonders