Burg Moosham
Moosham Castle, also known as Schloss Moosham, is a medieval spur castle located near Unternberg in the Lungau region of Salzburg, Austria. Perched at an elevation of 1,079 meters, the structure was first documented in 1191 and may stand upon the foundations of an ancient Roman fortress. Originally seized by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg around 1285, it served as a residence for episcopal burgraves before being significantly rebuilt and extended under Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach starting in 1495. The castle later functioned as an administrative seat for the region and witnessed historical turmoil, including a siege during the German Peasants War and serving as a refuge for Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau in 1611.
The site holds a dark historical significance as the central location for the Zaubererjackl witch trials between 1675 and 1690. These proceedings resulted in the execution of 139 individuals, predominantly male beggars, including many children and teenagers who were subjected to torture and burning. Following the dissolution of the local bailiwick in 1790, the castle fell into decay until it was purchased in 1886 by Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek, an Austrian explorer and art patron. Wilczek funded extensive restoration efforts to save the ruin, transforming it back into a habitable structure while preserving its historical character.
Today, Moosham Castle remains private property but is open to the public for visits. Guests can explore rooms that house Wilczek's extensive art collection, blending cultural appreciation with the site's formidable past. The castle stands as a restored monument that offers insight into both medieval architecture and the grim judicial history of the Counter-Reformation era in Austria. Its continued accessibility allows visitors to engage with a location that has evolved from a Roman outpost and ecclesiastical stronghold to a notorious court of injustice and finally to a preserved cultural landmark.
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Details
- Name
- Schloss Moosham
- Type
- Spur castle
- Owner
- Private
- Condition
- Restored
- Image Caption
- Moosham Castle
- Location Text
- Unternberg, SalzburgAustria
- Open To Public
- Yes