# Festung Hohensalzburg

- **Country:** Austria
- **Coordinates:** 47.795000, 13.047222
- **Name:** Hohensalzburg Fortress
- **Year Built:** 1077
- **Location Text:** Salzburg

Hohensalzburg Fortress, known locally as Festung Hohensalzburg, is a prominent medieval stronghold located in the city of Salzburg, Austria. Perched atop Festungsberg mountain at an altitude of 506 meters, this massive structure measures 250 meters in length and 150 meters in width, distinguishing it as one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Construction of the fortress commenced in 1077 under the direction of Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. Originally designed as a simple bailey with wooden walls, the site was strategically developed to protect the political interests of the powerful prince-archbishops of Salzburg during the turbulent Investiture Controversy within the Holy Roman Empire.

The architectural evolution of the fortress spans several centuries, transforming from its modest origins into a formidable stone complex. Significant expansions occurred in 1462 with the addition of ring walls and towers under Prince-Archbishop Burkhard II von Weißpriach. Further enlargement took place between 1495 and 1519 under Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, solidifying its status as an impregnable seat of power. Interestingly, archaeological evidence suggests that a Roman fort once occupied the highest point of the site, adding layers of historical depth to the location long before the current structure was erected.

Beyond its imposing architecture, the fortress holds unique historical significance regarding transportation technology. In 1515, a primitive funicular railway called the Reisszug was documented, providing freight access to the upper courtyard. This line still exists today in an updated form and is considered probably the oldest operational railway in the world. Today, Hohensalzburg remains a well-preserved landmark and a major cultural attraction, offering visitors a tangible connection to Salzburg's ecclesiastical history and medieval military engineering.

![Photo of Festung Hohensalzburg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Salzburg_-_Festung_Hohensalzburg.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festung_Hohensalzburg (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)