Top 20 Castles around Petronell-Carnuntum

The Heimenburg castle ruins on the Schlossberg above Hainburg are among the oldest castle complexes in Austria and look back on a history of almost a thousand years. Between the preserved walls, the former significance of the fortress can still be well imagined. In addition, the exposed location offers a magnificent view over Hainburg, the Danube and the surrounding landscape. 🏰🌄

The Götzenturm (Idol Tower) is a medieval defensive tower on the city wall of Hainburg an der Donau, built in the 13th century as part of the city's fortifications. Often referred to today as the "Water Tower," the building originally had nothing to do with water supply – the name was erroneously coined by locals. The tower was part of the fortifications for the city's defense and, with its solid construction, small window openings, and elevated position, offers a good overview of the Danube and the surrounding area. For cyclists on the Danube Cycle Path or passing through Hainburg's old town, the Götzenturm is a striking landmark and an impressive relic from the time when Hainburg was one of Austria's most powerful fortress towns.

Palace, garden, and estate: The grounds of Schloss Hof are vast. It's worth admiring this Baroque masterpiece from all angles.

Schloss Hof is truly an impressive destination! The baroque architecture and the extensive gardens are simply breathtaking. It is a wonderful place to experience history and enjoy the beauty of nature. The events and exhibitions that take place there offer a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions of the region. It is definitely worth a visit!

Water tower (Idol tower), Hainburg a.d. Donau The Idol farm in the north-eastern part of the town was traditionally owned by the so-called Lords of Röthelstein, named after the extensive castle and fortification complex located about 2 km downstream on a steep rock massif above the Danube. The Röthelstein castle was founded around the middle of the 12th century by the Sonnberger family, who originally lived in the central castle on the Schlossberg. In the 13th century they were among the most powerful city ministerials in Hainburg. The Idol farm served them primarily as a power base in the town, as well as for managing their huge properties and fishing grounds in the Danube floodplains opposite, and undoubtedly also for Danube trade. The only, but extremely monumental, remnant of the Idol farm is the one built in the first half or shortly after the middle of the 13th century. The octagonal Götzenturm, built in 1444, forms the north-east corner of the city fortifications. Its first and second floors were used exclusively for military purposes (mainly to cover the nearby harbor area), while the third floor with its late Romanesque double windows undoubtedly served a representative residential function. The adjacent eastern city wall is probably one of the few places in the city fortifications that, like the Vienna and Hungarian gates and the castle's ring wall, had an external defensive gallery from which the attackers could be fought effectively from above. This information was kindly provided by Mr. Mag. Scholz and Mr. MMag. R. Woldron. Many thanks to the Monument Office, the Vienna City and State Archives, the Boltzmann Institute and the Lower Austrian State Archives. Text / Source: Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH, Schlossgasse 3, A-3620 Spitz/Donau https://www.donau.com/de/roemerland-carnuntum-marchfeld/imx/ausflug-freizeit/der-wasserturm/e30b7b356921629ae2dc8079dbed134b/

Nicer from the outside than from the inside, but definitely a good place for kids.

There is not much left of the castle ruins, but it offers a great view of the Danube floodplains.

The Röthelstein ruins are located on a 30 meter high rocky outcrop on the Danube east of Hainburg, directly opposite the Theben ruins on the Arpad rock in Slovakia. Röthelstein secured the Danube flow on the Austrian side for centuries, and Thebes did this for the Hungarians and Slovaks. Röthelstein Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1180. The first known Röthelsteiners were Ulrich, Heinrich and Irnfried, who were ministerials of the Vohburgers, once one of the most powerful noble families in this area, between 1170 and 1209 and were in their service as lords of the castle. Source: https://burgenkunde.at/niederoesterreich/ruine_roethelstein/ruine_roethelstein.htm