Martinsbühel, Medieval castle in Zirl, Austria
Martinsbühel is a stone castle complex positioned at 616 meters (2,020 feet) above sea level between the Inn River and the Martinswand cliff face in Tirol. The building group comprises several structures, some of which are now occupied by a media company and artist studios.
An original fortress from the 13th century was remodeled and expanded into a hunting lodge in the 15th century under Emperor Maximilian I. This transformation shaped the architecture and purpose of the complex for centuries to come.
The chapel within the castle displays late Gothic architectural forms and houses a Madonna statue alongside wall paintings from the Romanesque period. Visitors can observe these artistic elements when entering the sacred space.
The exterior grounds and chapel are accessible to visitors, while the main building remains privately occupied. The site is best reached on foot along hiking trails that pass by the Martinswand cliff area.
Nearby lies Martinsgrotte cave, which commemorates an episode where Emperor Maximilian became stranded on the cliff for multiple days. This grotto remains part of local storytelling and hiking trails lead visitors to it.
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