There are more castles in Austria than you can shake the proverbial stick at.
This one, Hochosterwitz, in Carinthia, is one of the most beautiful ones.
It was first mentioned in an 860 A.D. deed, issued by King Louis,
giving the castle and several other of his holdings to the Roman Catholic Archdiozese of Salzburg.
(The clever Catholics probably promised him "Time off from Purgatory")
Over the years it changed hands several times, and in 1541
King Ferdinand I gave it to one Christof Khevenhüller,
whose family owns it to this day.
The steep rock on which the castle stands, and the 14 heavily armoured tower-gates
made it inpenetrable.
Not even the Turks could conquer it, although, I am told, they tried several times.
Uncountable tourists visit this castle each year.
Bertstravels
has conquered it several times.
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