Burgruine Gutrat, Castle ruin in Hallein, Austria

Burgruine Gutrat is a ruined hilltop castle on a limestone rock at 622 m above the Salzach Valley near Hallein. Its plan follows the narrow north-south ridge: the palas and adjoining bergfried stand at the highest northern point, with two polygonal outer courts and a small gate tower to the south. A narrow rock crest, guarded by a small tower-like structure, forms the access.

Gutrat Castle was built on the orders of Archbishop Adalbert III to protect the saltworks rediscovered in the 12th century at the foot of the Tuval mountain north of Hallein. Chuno von Werfen-Schnaitsee, the burgrave of Hohenwerfen, was commissioned as builder; from 1209 he called himself "von Gutrat". The fortress was meant to secure the archbishop's power over the Salzach valley and settle disputed rights with the Prince-Provostry of Berchtesgaden. After the saltworks dried up and the Gutrat family fell from favour around 1300, the castle passed to the archbishopric and was left to decay after 1304.

The castle gave its name to the family that held it: from 1209 Chuno von Werfen called himself "von Gutrat" after the fortress, which he probably owned as a free property. Around 1300 the Gutrat family fell out of favour with the Salzburg archbishop, and the castle passed to the archdiocese as a fief. After the last Gutrater died in 1304, the site was left to decay.

The hike to the ruins takes about one hour, starting from the Auwirt inn in the Au neighborhood. Metal ropes provide assistance on the steeper sections of the final climb.

The castle was built on a free-hold estate: Chuno von Werfen called himself "von Gutrat" from 1209, after a castle that was probably already finished. Around 1300 the family fell out of favour with the Salzburg archbishop, and Gutrat passed to the archdiocese as a fief. After the last Gutrater died in 1304 the castle was left to decay.