Thurnschall Castle

The castle was probably built around 1200. It was first mentioned in a document in 1239. The lordship was initially in the possession of the territorial prince. Together with the entire area of Lessach, it was sold to the Archbishop of Salzburg in 1242. As the castle had become insignificant as a defensive structure, it was already abandoned to decay in the 14th century. After several changes of ownership, the Austrian Federal Forests are now the owners, who have had several securing measures carried out on the remains of the keep and the curtain wall.

"Just as the downfall of the castle, so too is its history dark. It is said to have once belonged to the rich and powerful Weißpriachs and later, as legend reports, to have been besieged and destroyed by Margarethe Maultasch. But the more history remains silent, the more densely legend spins its magical threads around the ruined castle and knows much to tell us about this old knight's castle. (Michael Dengg)"