Prandegg Castle ruins occupy a commanding hilltop position in the Mühlviertel district of Upper Austria near Schönau im Mühlkreis, rising 705 metres between river valleys. This 13th-century structure ranks as the second-largest and best-preserved castle ruin in Upper Austria, spanning 2,435 square metres with a striking 23-metre-high round tower offering panoramic regional views. Originally home to the Pranter family and serving as a base for medieval land reclamation, the castle changed hands among noble families before falling into decline by 1786. Named from the local dialect 'prant' (forest clearing by fire) and 'egg' (rocky outcropping), Prandegg remains a significant historical monument accessible to hiking visitors exploring the Austrian countryside.
