Schloss Schwarzenau, Renaissance castle in Schwarzenau, Austria.
Schloss Schwarzenau is a Renaissance castle featuring four corner towers with decorative stucco work on its lower floors. The relief carvings illustrate the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water across the facade.
The castle was originally built around 1150 as Burg Swarcenawe under Pilgrim von Schwarzenau and underwent major reconstruction between 1580 and 1592. This transformation reshaped the structure from its medieval fortress form into an elegant Renaissance residence.
The castle chapel displays life-sized figures of the twelve apostles arranged in pairs within wall recesses, dating from the 1700s.
The castle is accessible to visitors who arrange guided tours in advance. Planning ahead ensures you can explore the interior properly, as tours are offered at set times throughout the day.
A nuclear bomb shelter was built into the castle during the Cold War era and remains part of its structure today. This underground addition reveals how historical events shaped the building across different periods.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.