Schloss Ritzen, Medieval castle and museum in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer, Austria.
Schloss Ritzen is a stone castle in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer that today functions as a museum with about 22 exhibition rooms spread across roughly 1,200 square meters. The structure spans multiple floors and houses collections ranging from artworks to historical objects from the region.
The castle was first mentioned in 1339 under the name Grub and changed hands multiple times over the centuries. A fire in 1892 caused substantial damage, but the building was later restored and eventually converted into a museum.
The castle displays an extensive collection of nativity scenes created by the artist Xandi Schläffer with remarkable detail. Alongside these are watercolor paintings and objects from regional farming traditions, together offering a window into the crafts and daily life of earlier times.
Access to the castle is through Museumsplatz, and there is plenty of space to explore the various exhibition areas. Visit times vary between seasons as opening hours differ from winter to summer, so visitors should check current times before making the trip.
The Weitmoser family from Gastein, successful traders from the 17th century, gave the castle its present name Ritzen in 1604. This renaming marked a transition to a new era and the family left their mark on the property for generations to come.
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