Ebelsberg Castle

Ebelsberg Castle is a historic fortress in the Upper Austrian city of Linz’s Ebelsberg area. The fortress was first recorded in 1154 and has been the site of several military battles over the ages, the most famous of which being the Battle of Ebelsberg in 1809 during the Napoleonic Wars. The castle has a rich history and a unique architecture that makes it a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike.

The History of Ebelsberg Castle

For the first 600 years, the roughly 900-year-old castle was possessed by the bishops of Passau, who used it as a strategic stronghold and a residence. The castle was expanded and fortified over the centuries, and witnessed several conflicts and sieges, such as the Peasants’ War in 1525, the Thirty Years’ War in 1619-1648, and the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701-1714.

The most notable event in the castle’s history was the Battle of Ebelsberg in 1809, when the French army under Napoleon Bonaparte clashed with the Austrian army under Archduke Charles. The battle was part of the War of the Fifth Coalition, and resulted in a French victory and heavy casualties on both sides. The castle was severely damaged by the artillery fire and the subsequent fire that broke out, and many of its historical documents and artworks were lost.

The castle remained in ruins for some time after the battle of 1809, and it was for sale. It wasn’t until 1825 that a new owner, Baron Karl Theodor von Kast, was found. He bought the castle and restored it in a neo-Gothic style, adding new towers, gates, and decorations. The castle was owned by his family until 1974, when it was sold to the city of Linz.

The Kast estate administration presently owns it. The castle is utilized for bigger events, such as Christmas markets and concerts, which are arranged by the Schloss Ebelsberg cultural organization. The castle also houses a museum that displays the history of the castle and the battle of 1809, as well as a collection of weapons, uniforms, and paintings.

The Architecture of Ebelsberg Castle

The inner courtyard of Ebelsberg Castle is practically trapezoidal in design, with two levels, three towers, and two gates. The Linzer Tor goes to the market square, while the Ennsertor is followed by a 19th-century avenue of chestnut trees through the castle park. The courtyard is surrounded by arcades and galleries that connect the different parts of the castle.

Because of its placement on a hill, the castle appears like a homogenous building over the metropolitan area. The complex is square in shape and has two stories. The original form is difficult to discern from the trapezoidal inner courtyard. The structure has mostly preserved its original dimensions from the beginning of modern times, however it is one storey lower. It also comprises architectural remnants from the first part of the 13th century, when the castle was initially built. The towers were erected in the early part of the nineteenth century, and their facades were recently renovated.

The two-story structure is shaped like an irregular square, with smooth façade and very flat gable roofs. The Linzer and the Ennser Tor highlight the otherwise unstructured outside facade. On the east facade, the Ennser Tor protrudes uniaxially. Above the basket-shaped stone robe with wedge and impost stones is a horizontal ledge with three heraldic stones. Through the expanded window axis, the former defensive tower may be seen on the left. The Linz Gate on the west wing is taller than the rest of the structure and concludes with a battlement with blind arches beneath the flat roof.

The Ennser Tor’s entrance includes a cross vault between belts (after 1826). The gate tower’s medieval stonework may be seen on the southern wall. Because the courtyard was elevated with rubble after 1825, the Linzer Tor in the west wing dips by more than a meter from the existing level of the courtyard to the outer gateway. The doorway features a barrel vault with ridged lunettes from the 16th century.

A wooden glazed balcony spans two granite Doric columns on the courtyard’s southern side. It functioned as a porch for the nineteenth-century staircase. The gateway to the main staircase is beneath the porch, adorned with a coat of arms and framed by two fluted stucco pillars with capitals until 1987.

The courtyard’s centerpiece is a 19th-century dolphin fountain. The fountain basin is large and round, with a square baluster column in the center and a shallow shell-shaped bowl supported by three water-spouting dolphins. The fountain is a symbol of the castle’s revival and prosperity under the Kast family.

Ebelsberg Castle is a remarkable example of the fusion of different architectural styles and historical periods. It reflects the changing fortunes and tastes of its owners and the events that shaped its history. It is a place of cultural and historical significance, as well as a beautiful and inviting destination for visitors.

Linz, Austria