Traun Castle

The Traun Castle is a castle complex in Traun, Upper Austria, situated on Schloßstraße 8, this castle complex has been a silent witness to the ebb and flow of European aristocracy and the ever-changing landscape of power and prestige.

The castle’s earliest recorded owner, Bernhard de Trune, held the moated fortress in 1120, marking the beginning of the Trauns’ illustrious lineage. This noble family was part of the esteemed “Apostle families,” a testament to their high standing and influence. Over time, their allegiance shifted from the Otakare to the Babenbergs, reflecting the fluid nature of feudal loyalties. In 1246, their prominence was further solidified when they were appointed bishops of Passau.

The Trauns’ grip on their ancestral home faced challenges, particularly when Sigmund Adam von Traun relinquished control to Werner t’Serklaes von Tilly, a relative of the famed General Johann T’Serklaes von Tilly. This transfer, influenced by religious affiliations, eventually led to Traun Castle becoming a free estate. The family’s fortunes were restored when Ernst Graf von Abensperg und Traun, Sigmund’s son, reclaimed the castle in 1664 after a protracted legal battle.

The family’s status was elevated to Imperial Counts by Emperor Ferdinand III, following the verification of their genealogical ties to the Counts of Abensberg. Since 1653, the Trauns have been known as the Counts of Abensperg and Traun, a title that has endured through the centuries. Remarkably, Traun Castle remains in the hands of the same family, a rare continuity in the annals of nobility.

Constructed in the Renaissance style, the castle is believed to have been built by Otto and Otto Bernhard von Traun in the late 16th century. Despite suffering damage from a fire in 1620 and the ravages of time, the castle’s baroque facade, added in 1725, stands as a testament to its resilience and the family’s commitment to its preservation.

The 19th century brought significant challenges to Traun Castle, as its role as the principal residence diminished, leading to neglect and disrepair. The transformation of its outbuildings into tenements and the filling of the castle pond marked a low point in its history. The castle’s fortunes took a further hit during World War II when it was damaged by a crashed American aircraft, destroying the north-west tower.

The journey to restore Traun Castle began in 1956, revealing hidden architectural gems like Gothic windows and intricate plaster ornamentation. The reconstruction of the gate building’s façade in 1961 marked a significant milestone in the castle’s revival.

Today, Traun Castle stands proudly with its three-storey structure, eight axes, and quaint corner towers. The granite portal with its circular arch is a gateway to the past, while the double-hipped roof adds to the castle’s distinctive silhouette.

The original castle complex, complete with a bailey, entry gate, and chapel, has adapted to the changes of time. The gatehouse, with its round tower, now stands at an angle to the entrance, a reminder of the filled moat and the bridge that once was.

The gatehouse itself is flanked by two wings:

• The Right Wing: Once a bustling service wing, it housed a brewery in the 17th century within the castle’s north wing. The brewery’s legacy lasted until 1851, after which the space transformed into residential apartments.
• The Left Wing: A modest house adjoins the gate tract, serving as the sacristy for the adjacent chapel, integrating sacred space with the secular.

Surrounding the courtyard, side wings stretch out, their presence accentuated by the verdant embrace of trees, creating a serene enclosure within the castle’s embrace.

The spiritual heart of Traun Castle is the Castle Chapel of St. Margaretha, erected in 1363 by Hans von Traun and his wife Dorothea. For approximately 80 years, it echoed with the hymns of Protestant worship during the Reformation until 1624. Following the closure of St. Dionysen’s church in 1788, the chapel became the inaugural parish church of Traun. However, the 19th century saw the chapel’s sanctity buried under rubble to make way for apartments. A secondary ceiling obscured the sanctuary, baroque stucco was removed from the nave, and the wall paintings suffered under the intrusion of windows, partition walls, and an attic staircase.

Today, Traun Castle breathes new life as a cultural nexus under the stewardship of the Upper Austrian state. Its halls and chambers, once silent, now resonate with the vibrancy of cultural events. Within the castle’s ring shell, the Traun local history museum finds its home, safeguarding the narrative of a region and its people.