Dürnstein castle ruins, Medieval castle ruins in Dürnstein, Austria.
Dürnstein castle ruins crown a rocky hilltop about 300 meters above the Danube and overlook the Wachau valleys and surrounding vineyards. The remains display typical medieval fortification features with wall sections and a central structure.
The castle was built around 1130 as a fortification for the Kuenring family and gained significance through the imprisonment of King Richard the Lionheart between 1192 and 1193. This event made it an internationally known site of medieval history.
The ruins are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau Cultural Landscape and shape how visitors understand this Danube valley. They represent the connection between medieval history and the region's modern wine tradition.
Access is via two hiking trails from Dürnstein through rocky terrain and well-marked routes. Most visitors find a moderate ascent, with plenty of space at the top to enjoy views and explore the remains.
Few people realize that Richard's imprisonment here represents one of the rare cases of an English monarch being held outside his kingdom. This unusual situation turned the location into a turning point in medieval European politics.
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