CASTLES GMUNDEN

Cumberland Castle stands on a small hill above Lake Krottensee in Gmunden, built between 1882 and 1886 in neo-Gothic Windsor style as an exile seat for the House of Hanover following their loss of the Hanoverian throne to Prussian annexation. The exiled crown prince resided here until 1923, with the royal family occupying the castle through the 1930s. Following World War II, the Austrian state assumed ownership, and the castle served as a tuberculosis hospital from 1947 to 1972. Today, it operates as the "Landespflege- und Betreuungszentrum Schloss Cumberland," a provincial nursing and care center, surrounded by parkland and scenic promenade paths offering views of the lake.

Ort Castle (Seeschloss Ort) stands uniquely on a small island within Lake Traunsee in Gmunden, accessed via a 123-meter bridge from the mainland. Founded around 1080 by Hartnidus of Ort, the castle passed through ownership by the Wallsee family, emperors Frederick III and Leopold I, before being acquired by Gmunden municipality in 1995. The castle gained international prominence as the filming location for the popular Austrian-German television series "Schlosshotel Orth" (1996-2004). Today, it functions as both a museum and cultural venue hosting concerts, theater performances, and festivals throughout the year, offering visitors a unique lakeside castle experience.

Schloss Grub is a castle located in Obertraun in the Gmunden district of Upper Austria at 825 metres elevation, built in 1522. The castle received significant architectural modifications in the 19th century when the ambassador of Tsar Alexander II undertook renovations that established its current distinctive appearance, reflecting imperial Russian aesthetic influence. Today, Schloss Grub functions as a vibrant cultural and artistic center, hosting a diverse array of events throughout the year including classical concerts, art exhibitions, and thematic historical tours. Positioned near the historic Hallstatt railway station and enjoying scenic vistas from its elevated location overlooking the Sechserkogel peak, the castle offers visitors an engaging combination of historical significance and contemporary cultural programming in Austria's picturesque Lake District region.

Weyer Castle is a charming Renaissance and Gothic-style fortress on the shores of Lake Traunsee in Gmunden, Upper Austria, constructed in 1596 by Abraham von Rorbach and elevated to "Free Nobleman's Seat" status by Emperor Ferdinand II in 1621. The castle features graceful arcaded courtyards and represents a harmonious blend of architectural styles from its era. Renowned for housing one of Europe's most important Meissen porcelain collections, Schloss Weyer operates as a gallery where visitors can view exquisite porcelain and silver treasures displayed throughout the castle. The courtyard and chapel remain occasionally open to the public, offering glimpses into its refined collections and historic ambiance.