Description of the attraction
Mauterndorf is a medieval castle located next to the Tauern mountain in the federal state of Salzburg. During the Roman Empire, there was a Roman military camp on the territory of the castle, set up along the trade route. In 1023, all the surrounding territories were transferred to the bishop from Salzburg, and in the 13th century, a tax office (Maut) was created. The taxes were paid by traders whose path lay in Italy through the Alps. It was because of the tax payment point that the place was named Mauterndorf (Dorf - village).
In 1253, the construction of the castle began in order to protect the local lands from enemy invasions. Initially, the castle was a building consisting of four floors, a prison and fortress walls. Later, towers appeared, and at the end of the 14th century, another fortress wall was built. It is known that in the 15th century the castle was expanded on the outside and decorated on the inside. Coats of arms and frescoes appeared on the walls.
In the early years of the 19th century, the castle passed into the possession of the state, and at the end of the century it was sold to a doctor from Berlin, Hermann von Epenstein. Since 1939, the castle belonged to Hermann Goering, who received such a generous gift from the widow of a Berlin doctor. Hermann Goering became an honorary citizen of the city by financing the construction of a water supply system in the city.
Since 1968, the castle has again been owned by Salzburg. Currently, the castle operates as a museum. The most interesting to see are the interior, richly decorated with stucco, and the chapel of Emperor Henry II with frescoes of the 14th century depicting the coronation of the Virgin Mary on a rainbow, as well as a carved altar of the 15th century.
