Top 12 Castles around Walchsee

The Thierberg Castle ruins lie above Kufstein in Tyrol at an altitude of approximately 721 meters and are among the oldest castles in the region. They were built around 1280 by the Lords of Freundsberg as a small hilltop fortress to secure the Inn Valley. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times – among other things, it belonged to Bavaria for a time before falling to Tyrol in 1504. The striking keep has been preserved to this day and offers impressive panoramic views of Kufstein, the Inn Valley, and the Kaiser Mountains. Within the old walls lies the Thierberg Chapel, a popular pilgrimage site with numerous votive images and a quiet, spiritual atmosphere. A hermit traditionally lives next to the chapel to look after the site. Today, the Thierberg Castle ruins are a historic tourist destination that combines history, nature, and faith in a unique way.

From Aschau you can start many mountain and cycling tours, although it doesn't always have to be the Kampenwand.

In the last third of the 12th century, Konrad and Arnold von Hirnsberg built Hohenaschau Castle as a stronghold at the entrance to the Upper Prien Valley. Important noble families expanded the property and developed the castle into the administrative center of their domain; their influence shaped the land and people of western Chiemgau.

This is definitely a place to stop and see.

Beautiful view from afar of Hohenaschau Castle, as it sits enthroned on its hill

“Who knows the pearl, the pearl of Tyrol” – this is how the charming town on the Inn is sung in the famous Kufstein song. And rightly so, because Kufstein on the mighty Keizerberg has a lot to offer. The beautiful old town with its historic medieval Römerhofgasse avenue, modern boutiques, shopping centers and inviting cafés make Kufstein a versatile, thriving city. Its city symbol is the fortress, which rises high above the city and now serves as a backdrop for cultural events. The Panoramabahn takes you from the city center directly to the fortress. Here you will find, in addition to the newly designed Heimatsmuseum (regional museum), also the famous Helden Organ, the largest open-air organ in the world. Every day at 12 noon his playing sounds and he calls for world peace.

As an unmistakable landmark, Kufstein Fortress towers over the Tyrolean district capital of Kufstein and bears witness to Kufstein's turbulent past as a border town between Tyrol and Bavaria. The fortress was first mentioned in 1205. Emperor Maximilian I conquered the castle in 1504 and had it expanded. Today, Kufstein Fortress is a popular venue for theatre and concert events and forms an impressive backdrop for the Kufstein Operetta Summer every year. Visitors can easily reach the fortress hill with the modern panoramic railway. A special feature is the Hero organ in the Bürgerturm: it is the largest outdoor organ in the world. Their music is played daily in memory of all victims of military conflicts and calls for peace in the world.

The Kufstein Fortress towers above the Tyrolean district capital Kufstein as an unmistakable landmark and bears witness to Kufstein's turbulent past as a border town between Tyrol and Bavaria. The fortress was first mentioned in 1205. Emperor Maximilian I conquered the castle in 1504 and had it expanded. Today, Kufstein Fortress is a popular location for theater and concert events and provides an impressive backdrop for the Kufstein Operetta Summer every year. Visitors can easily reach the fortress mountain with the modern panoramic railway line. The Hero organ in the Bürgerturm is special: it is the largest outdoor organ in the world. Their music is played daily in memory of all victims of military conflicts and calls for peace in the world.