Schloss Lankowitz, Heritage castle in Maria Lankowitz, Austria
Schloss Lankowitz is a three-story castle in Maria Lankowitz, Austria, built around a large courtyard lined with arcaded walkways on all four sides. The rectangular layout gives the building a closed, fortress-like form that can be seen from the surrounding area.
The castle was first built in 1440 by Georg Gradner on land that was held as a fief from the Counts of Montfort, and it was expanded to its current form during the 16th and 17th centuries. It remained a noble seat in the area for several hundred years.
The former chapel inside the castle now serves as a local heritage museum, where exhibitions on regional history and traditions are regularly held. This gives the building an active role in the daily life of the surrounding community.
Since the building is divided into private apartments and offices, it is worth checking in advance whether the courtyard or the museum in the former chapel are open to visitors. Access is not always guaranteed without prior contact.
From 1848 to 1993, the building was used as a prison, including a period as a women's prison, before passing into private hands. Few visitors expect that a place with such a long noble history also spent nearly 150 years as a place of detention.
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