Itter Castle, Medieval castle in Itter, Austria
Itter Castle is a stone fortress perched on a hillside near the entrance to Brixental valley, built with Gothic Revival details and thick defensive towers. The structure commands the surrounding landscape from its elevated position and shows the building methods typical of later medieval castle adaptations.
The site received its first documented mention in 1241 as a regional fortification. During World War II, it served as a detention facility for French dignitaries under Nazi control from 1943 until 1945.
During the late 19th century, pianist Sophie Menter hosted composers Franz Liszt and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky within the castle walls.
The castle remains in private hands, and visitors need permission from the owner before entering the grounds. It sits roughly 5 kilometers south of Wörgl and is best reached by car from the nearby town.
In May 1945, an unusual alliance formed when American soldiers fought alongside German Wehrmacht troops to protect French prisoners against an attack by Waffen-SS forces. This rare partnership between enemies in the war's final days reveals the complicated circumstances of the conflict's closing phase.
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