Burgruine Straßfried, Castle ruin in Thörl-Maglern, Austria.
Burgruine Straßfried is a fortress ruin on a rocky ridge near the Austrian-Italian border, with steep northern slopes and gentler southern inclines. The site contains a rectangular courtyard roughly 50 meters long and 15 meters wide, enclosed by ring walls connected to a keep at the eastern end.
Bishops of Bamberg built this fortification in the first half of the 13th century, with its first recorded mention appearing in 1279 as Castrum Strazvrid. The structure suffered major damage from French forces during the Napoleonic Wars in 1797.
The stonework visible today reflects medieval construction methods, with carefully cut blocks combined with rough stone layers forming the fortress walls. These building techniques remain visible in the remaining structures.
The site requires sure footing and proper footwear, as the ruin sits on uneven ground with steep slopes. Visitors should come prepared for changing weather conditions and allow time to explore the structure and surroundings at a comfortable pace.
Only the eastern tower survives from the original twin-tower design, as the western tower was lost to the 1797 destruction by French forces. This asymmetry serves as a visible reminder of the violence that reached this border location.
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