Castle Blühnbach

Castle Blühnbach is a fortress in a narrow Alpine valley in Austria, situated on a steep mountain slope at about 985 meters elevation. The structure is surrounded by high peaks and fits into the dramatic landscape, with stone walls and rooflines that suit the rugged mountain setting.

The fortress was built in the early 1600s by the Archbishop of Salzburg and later modified over the centuries. Between 1908 and 1911 it underwent extensive renovation that brought it up to modern standards of that time.

The castle holds a collection of art and antiques assembled by Archduke Francis Ferdinand, showing how affluent families decorated their homes with treasured pieces. The rooms reflect the refined taste of early twentieth-century Austrian nobility and their appreciation for beautiful objects from different periods.

The castle is not currently open to visitors and can only be viewed from the outside, as it sits on private land. The valley offers hiking trails that explore the surrounding area and provide views of the fortress from various angles.

The industrialist Frederick R. Koch acquired the property in 1987, ending decades of ownership changes involving wealthy industrial families and European noble houses. Its ownership by major economic figures reflects the high value this mountain castle has maintained through the generations.