Burg Seebenstein, Medieval castle in Seebenstein, Austria
Burg Seebenstein is a medieval castle in the Lower Austrian town of Seebenstein, made up of two clearly separate parts: a round keep and a higher castle complex built at a later stage. The rooms inside are now used as museum spaces and display several collections open to visitors.
Seebenstein appears in written records for the first time in 1159, when a local nobleman attended a court session under Margrave Ottokar III. The round keep dates to the 13th century, while the upper castle section was built gradually between the 15th and 17th centuries.
The castle houses a collection of artworks, among them a sculpture of the Virgin Mary attributed to the late medieval sculptor Veit Stoss. These works are displayed across the rooms of the upper castle section and give a sense of the religious artistic tradition of the region.
The castle sits on a hill above the town and can be reached on foot, though the walk up takes a little time. Sturdy shoes are a good idea, as the site covers several levels connected by stairs and uneven ground.
The keep has a round footprint, which was unusual for the 13th century when most towers were built square. A round tower had no blind corners, making it harder for attackers to hide against the walls unseen.
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