Burgruine Schaunberg

-> for architecture lovers

Closely connected with the history of Hartkirchen is, of course, that of the ruins of Schaunberg Castle. Today only a ruin, it was once the largest castle complex in Upper Austria with 17,500 m².

In 1161 it was mentioned for the first time in a document from Wilhering with Heinricus de Scovenberg (Heinrich von Schaunberg). On the castle, situated high on a rocky spur, the Schaunbergers even defied the Habsburgs for years during the so-called Schaunberg feud. The castle was in the possession of the lords and later counts of Schaunberg until the death of the last male representative of this family, Count Wolfgang II, in 1559. By way of inheritance, the dominions of Schaunberg and Eferding passed to the Starhemberg family. The castle is still in their possession today.

The keep, which dates back to the 12th century, partially collapsed in 1825. However, a viewing platform can be reached via 186 steps, from which one has a magnificent view of the Eferding Basin and Mühlviertel and, of course, also of the Danube. Since 1957, extensive cleanup & conservation work has been done on the castle ruins by the Schaunberg Friends Association.

Guided tours of the castle:
Sigrid Leeb, Austriaguide
+43 680 3070224