Schloss Neu-Scharnstein, Renaissance castle in Scharnstein, Austria
Schloss Neu-Scharnstein is a Renaissance structure perched on a hill above the Alm River and decorated with painted wooden ceilings displaying coats of arms from regional noble families. The building contains several rooms and halls that were transformed into a museum complex following extensive renovations in the 1980s.
The castle was built in 1538 as a caretaker's house following a fire that destroyed the original Scharnstein fortress. Significant expansion of the structure occurred during Helmhard von Jörger's ownership.
The castle now houses the Austrian Criminal Museum and a Museum of Contemporary History in its grand upper hall. These collections tell stories about important moments in the region's past and show how people lived in earlier times.
The grounds are open to visitors throughout the year and well-maintained following restoration work. Plan to explore multiple exhibition rooms across different levels, each with different collections on display.
During World War II, the castle provided shelter and refuge for numerous families fleeing hardship. After the war ended, the building fell into decline until Harald Seyrl purchased and meticulously restored it in 1967.
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