Ruine Schauenstein, Medieval castle ruins in Pölla, Austria.

Schauenstein is the ruin of a hilltop castle at 460 m above sea level near Pölla in the Waldviertel, Lower Austria. Its surviving structures are a five-sided bergfried 30 m high, which can be climbed, and the palas. From the tower there is a view of the Kamptal.

Schauenstein was first documented in 1175 with Poppo von Schauenstein; later owners included the Kuenringer and Sonnberger families. In 1467 Ulrich von Grafenegg passed it to Matthias Corvinus, after which imperial troops under Frederick III took it. Renewed in the 16th century, it was acquired in 1622 by the Kuefstein family, who joined the lordship to Greillenstein. Swedish troops took and destroyed it in 1645 and it was never rebuilt.

The name Schauenstein comes from the family Poppo von Schauenstein, first recorded in 1175. In 1622 the Kuefstein family joined the Schauenstein estate to Greillenstein, and after Swedish troops destroyed the castle in 1645 it was left as a ruin. Visitors today climb the 30-metre bergfried, a five-sided tower from the 13th century, for views over the Kamptal.

You can reach the ruins via several walking paths starting from villages in the area, with different route lengths to suit various abilities. Once there, pick up a key from the local hotel or inn to climb the observation tower for views over the valley.

The pentagonal keep, 30 metres high and climbable, dates from the 13th century and gives a view over the Kamptal valley; the palas also survives. The castle was taken, destroyed by Swedish troops in 1645 during the Thirty Years' War and never rebuilt. Safeguarding work was carried out only in the last decade.