Schloss Hofarnsdorf, Schloss im Bezirk Krems-Land, Niederösterreich
Schloss Hofarnsdorf is a two-story stone structure with a rectangular form in Rossatz-Arnsdorf, enclosed by high walls that keep it private. The simple, sturdy building with brick walls is visible from the outside and from the Danube River, and it sits within a large park filled with mature trees.
The castle's origins trace back to after 1501, when a major flood destroyed the original farmstead on the site. The property, which had been under the archdiocese of Salzburg's control since around 860, was rebuilt following the disaster and remained under church management until government takeover in 1806.
The castle's name comes from a bishop of Salzburg named Arn or Arnold, reflecting its deep ties to church history. The fortified walls and surrounding park remain central to how locals and visitors perceive the place, connecting the present landscape to centuries of church ownership and rural life.
The castle can only be viewed from the outside, with no interior tours available. The surrounding park with its pathways offers a calm place for walking, and you can also see the building from the Danube riverbank if you are exploring the Wachau region.
According to local lore, a farmer once hid within the old walls during a time of trouble and emerged years later to find the land transformed. This story speaks to how the castle has witnessed sweeping changes across the centuries while standing in the same place.
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