The castle above the village of Rosenburg is a Renaissance jewel built on the remains of a medieval fortress in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria.
The original fortifications above the Kamp river date back to the 12th century, although these days little remains of that era.
The castle that visitors see today is what is known as a ‘Wohnschloss’ from the Renaissance period in the Middle Ages, which was not meant for protection, more for stylish living (‘wohnen’ in German).
The property changed hands at regular periods between Catholic and Protestant owners during the religious strife of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.
Most of the current buildings date from the 17th century onwards, with the tournament field with its arcades being the oldest remaining example in Europe.
Visitors can enter the castle on a tour of the interior, can watch regular falconry demonstrations in the summer months, or can just wander around the grounds with the displays of roses on the arcades and in specially-designed areas (including, for rose enthusiasts, a special garden dedicated to the English roses of David Austin).
More information: www.rosenburg.at
