Scharfeneck ruins

The mighty outer walls of the Scharfeneck ruins loom eerily over the spectator, instilling in us a sense of awe, especially in misty weather.

The remains of towers and casemates are still visible, a thousand years after the castle was built on Schlossberg mountain. A hall, kitchen and part of a spiral staircase can still be identified, as can the 4.5-m-high curtain wall, with a gate and bridge, on the eastern side.

The castle, named after the Scharfeneck family, is built as a border castle by the Hungarians and remains in their possession for a long time. In 1493 it is seized by the Habsburgs under Maximilian I.

In the castle courtyard stands the mighty stump of the former 24-m-high keep, struck by lightning in 1555. It is roughly rebuilt and becomes increasingly dilapidated. Nevertheless thousands of people arrive at the castle seeking protection from the Turks in 1683. The walls withstand the foe but there is a dramatic lack of reserves and disease spreads. Brave men battle their way to Wiener Neustadt to get supplies.

Despite the desperate situation, those trapped inside do not give up and the story of the cannoneer at Scharfeneck Castle, who shot a chicken from the plate of a Turkish pasha who had set up his tent on a hill, is still told today. The Turk, scared to death, ordered a retreat. Incidentally the hill is still called Turk’s Hill today.