Burgruine Neu-Rettenberg, Medieval castle ruin in Kolsassberg, Austria
Burgruine Neu-Rettenberg is a castle ruin on a hillside in Kolsassberg with a rectangular stone structure and defensive layout. The fortress contains remaining palace walls, watchtowers with gun ports, and protective ramparts positioned across the slope.
Emperor Maximilian I granted the fortress to Knight Florian Waldauf in 1492, who then rebuilt it substantially. Materials from the earlier Alt-Rettenberg site were reused to construct the new defensive structure.
The castle served as a judicial center for centuries, handling local legal matters while serious crimes went to the high court of Rottenburg. You can still sense this legal function in how the fortress sits above the settlement below.
You can reach the ruins by following the road from Kolsass to Kolsassberg, where a small parking area provides access near the southern entrance. The hillside location means the paths require some care when walking, particularly if conditions are wet.
The fortress includes four corner roundels with cannon positions installed around 1530, representing advanced military technology of that era. These early artillery installations make it a rare example of Renaissance-period defensive engineering in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
