Description of the attraction
Anif Castle stands on an artificial pond in the eponymous town of Anif on the southern outskirts of Salzburg. The exact date of the castle's origin has not yet been established. It is known that in 1520 a castle already existed on this site, which belonged to a certain Praunenecker. But since 1530, Anif Castle has been constantly mentioned as a feudal allotment issued to the Archbishop of Salzburg. Later, the castle was transferred to the bishops from Chiemsee, who later used it as a summer residence until 1806. The last of the bishops laid out an English park around the castle.
In 1803, during the German mediatization, the Archbishopric of Salzburg was turned into a kurfurche for Ferdinand III. Two years later, in 1805, under the terms of the Peace of Presburg, the territories of the elector, which had previously been an archbishopric, became part of the Austrian Empire. Thus, Anif Castle, together with the park, became public property.
Although the castle was leased from that point on, the tenants did not undertake any restoration work. The situation changed when the property was sold to the great-grandson of Empress Maria Theresa, Count Alois Stepperg in 1837. He rebuilt Anif Palace between 1838 and 1848 in the New Gothic style, giving the castle a modern look. Until that time, it consisted of a simple four-story building and a two-story passageway to the chapel.
After the death of the count in 1891, the castle passed into the ownership of his heiress Sophie, who married Count Ernst von Moy de Sons, from an old French aristocratic family.
In 1918, Anif attracted public attention when King Ludwig of Bavaria III fled here with his family and entourage, fleeing the revolution. In the Anif Declaration, written on November 12/13, 1918, Ludwig III refused to abdicate, but he released all Bavarian officials, soldiers and officers from their oath.
During World War II, the Germans were stationed at the castle, followed by an American unit in 1945.
Currently, Anif Castle is in the possession of the de Sons family. The castle is closed to the public.
Description added:
Dmitry Burenchev 08.08.2012
It is almost impossible to see the castle. The building is located deep in a private area with a lot of trees and is surrounded by a high (about 2m) fence. One can only see the rear facade from the side of the adjoining country road, which runs parallel to the Saltsech. True, you can "look" through
Show all text It is almost impossible to see the castle. The building is located deep in a private area with a lot of trees and is surrounded by a high (about 2m) fence. One can only see the rear facade from the side of the adjoining country road, which runs parallel to the Saltsech. True, you can "look" through the hedge from the rampart surrounding the farmland opposite the castle. But the view is very limited due to the trees surrounding the castle, and the rampart itself is densely overgrown with nettles and rose hips, which makes it not a very convenient platform for lovers of beautiful views.
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