Hochosterwitz

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Shortened history of the castle:

The castle is first evoked in a popular tale of the siege of the castle by the troops of Margarete Maultasch, Countess of Tyrol from 1335 to 1363. According to this legend, Margarete Maultasch invaded the duchy and encircled the castle. Months passed and impossible for her troops to conqueer the site. Her forces finally withdrew when the garrison of Hochosterwitz slaughtered its very last ox, filled it with corn and threw it over the wall, pretending it still had so many provisions in stock that they could be used as projectiles.

In the 15th century, Georg of Osterwitz, the castle owner, was captured in a Turkish invasion and died in 1476 in prison without leaving descendants. The castle tehn fell into the hands of Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg.

Over the next thirty years the castle was badly damaged by numerous Turkish campaigns. On 5 October 1509, Emperor Maximilian I handed the castle as a pledge to Matthäus Lang von Wellenburg, then Bishop of Gurk.

In 1571, Baron George Khevenhüller acquired the citadel by purchase. He then greatly fortified the site to resist to the threat of Turkish invasions, building an armoury and 14 gates from 1570-1586. Such massive fortification is considered unique in citadel construction.

Since the 16th century, no major changes have been made to Hochosterwitz.

A 1:25 miniature scale model of Hochosterwitz Castle is located in Minimundus, a popular tourist attraction in Klagenfurt.

Opening times and additionnal information:

- Opening times (the castle interior is private but walking around is allowed and free)
April & October: 9am-5pm
From May to September: 9am-6pm
You cannot drive up to Hochosterwitz, so park your car, put on your sturdy shoes, and start your hike. It will take you about half an hour to walk to the castle.

- Email: info@burg-hochosterwitz.com

- Anecdote: Ascending the hill, you will find a succession of 14 gates designed by the most famous castle-fortification architect of the Middle Ages. Thanks to his skill, the castle was never conquered. Each gate has its own unique brand of protection—one has holes through which hot oil was poured upon the invader, another has a moat, another a drawbridge, another hidden spikes, another fire-torch slots, and so on. If the enemy was clever enough to conquer one gate, he was sure to be defeated before the final entrance.

Druyes

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Shortened history of the castle:

Built in the twelfth century by the Counts of Nevers, the castle of Druyes is part of the first generation of the so-called Philippians castles, built during the reign of Philip Augustus with a simple plan, circular towers that offered a better defense at lower cost.

It became in the 1750's the fortress Peter II of Courtenay, emperor of Constantinople, and then of his daughter Matilda, countess of Nevers, Auxerre and Tonnerre.

The castle was then abandoned by the Counts of Nevers, and completely lost its military use, while slowly falling apart.

He escaped from demolition during the French Revolution but it was not until the second half of the twentieth century that the inhabitants of Druyes and local associations started to care about this monument of regional history.

Opening times and additionnal information:

- Individual visits

April, May, June & September : all Weekends from 3pm to 6pm
Julet and August : everyday from 3pm to 6pm

Prices: Adults = 4 euros, Children = 2.50 Euros (8 to 16 years), Free up to 8 years

- Group visits

The Castle of Druyes is open to groups every day all year round by reservation.

Guided tour of Castle and Village (duration 2 hours). Prices : Adults = 5 Euros,

Guided tour of the Castle (duration 1 hour). Prices : Adults = 4 euros, Scholars = 2.50 Euros

Phone : +33 (0) 3 86 41 51 71
E-mail : les-amis-du-chateau@wanadoo.fr

Peñafiel

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Shortened history of the castle:

Peñafiel Castle, which is 210 meters long and 33 meters wide, stands on a hill from which you can see the Duraton and Botijas valleys. The keep, which is over 30 meters high, is crowned by eight towers and flanked by two courtyards.

The first known reference on a fortress dates back to 943. It is then mentioned as falling within the possessions of the Count of Castile 944 to 945.

In 983, the castle was seized by the caliph hadjib Cordovan Hisham II.

In the thirteenth century the king of Castile and Leon, Ferdinand III, establishes the señorío of Peñafiel, to be bequeathed to his son, Alphonse X.

In 1456, Henry IV of Castile took the fortress which was falling appart and built the fortress that you can see today.

Classified to the status of national monument in 1917, now owned by the mayor of Peñafiel, the Penafiel Castle houses the headquarters of the Foundation-Provincial Wine Museum Valladolid.


Opening times and additional information:

October to March : from Tuesday to Sunday (from 11.30am to 2pm & from 4pm to 7pm)
April to September : from Tuesday to Sunday (from 11am to 2.30pm & from 4.30pm to 8.30pm)

Closed: Mondays, 1st and 6th of January 6 & 24, 25th and 31st of December.

Prices:
Museum and Castle: 6 €
Palace tour: € 3
Tasting: € 9
Admission free for children under 12 years

Email : museodelvino@dip-valladolid.es
Tel. : +34 983881199

Alarcon

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Shortened history of the castle:

This 8th Century medieval castle, perfectly preserved, is located on a promontory looking down over the fertile plain of the river Jucar.

Steeped in history, this medieval castle has seen many sieges and revolts. It was founded by the Muslims in the 8th century and was then captured by King Alfonso VIII in the 12th century. It has been home to the Marquises de Villena and later, the home of the famous writer Don Juan Manuel.

From the battlements, the keep and the main tower "Torre del Homenaje" there is an interesting view of the triple defensive walls echoing back to the past. However, the main defence of the castle was its location. It was protected from assault because it is perched on the edge of a ravine with the river Jucar forming a natural moat on three sides as it flows down the ravine.

Opening times and additional information:

The castle is today a 4 star hotel and visits aren't allowed if you're not a customer. Such a pity !

Bonifacio

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Shortened history of the castle:

It is built on a strategic site to effecticiently protect the city from sea attacks. The castle was built with four major construction campaigns. The castle was erected in 1492 under the authority of the Genoa. In 1553, the arrival of Sampiero and French troops led by Marshal de Thermes, work is being done to expand the citadel. Several buildings are destroyed in order to increase the defensive aspect of the city, including the church of Sainte-Croix, the first cathedral of the city of Genoa. In 1559, "The Great", Jacopo di Palearo Morco, an Italian engineer, strengthened the fortifications and separated the citadel from the rest of the city. Hexagonal, it will be given six massive bastions. Finally, in 1789, after the annexation of Corsica to France, the ditches are flushed to clean the premises.

Two other aspects a re remarkable on this site. First-of-all, the man-carved stairway of 187 steps, built according to the legend by the soldiers of the King of Aragon in just one night for the siege of Bonifacio in 1420. And second-of-all, the parapets, immense medieval fortifications of the city, which remain as they were several centuries ago, offering a splendid view on the sea.

Opening hours and additionnal information:

The citadel is open to public, without any fee.