Kuenringerburg

The Danube Valley


Kuenringerburg, the castle high on the hill above the town, is where Richard the Lionheart was incarcerated from 1192 to 1193. His crime was insulting Leopold V; his misfortune was to be recognised despite his disguise when journeying through Austria on his way home from the Holy Lands. His liberty was granted only upon payment of an enormous ransom of 35,000kg of silver (this sum partly funded the building of Wiener Neustadt).

An easy, yellow path starts at the Kremser Gate (marked 'Burgruine'); a more difficult route begins in the Altstadt (old town). It takes about 25 minutes to walk up to the ruins whichever path you follow. The ruins are great for scrambling around and there's an open-air exhibition of sorts providing background on the castle's history and the personalities associated with it.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Danube Valley attractions

1. Chorherrenstift

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Of the picturesque 16th-century houses and other prominent buildings lining Dürnstein’s streets, the meticulously restored Chorherrenstift is the most…

2. Domäne Wachau

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If you're intent on tasting the best of what the Wachau has to offer, it's a good idea to do a broad range of vineyards, from the innovative family-run…

3. Weissenkirchen Parish Church

2.39 MILES

This 15th-century Gothic church sits on a hilltop overlooking the town; its front doors are approached along a labyrinth of covered pathways. Look out for…

4. Wachau Museum

2.43 MILES

Directly below the church, the tiny, pretty Wachau Museum showcases artists of the Danube School.

5. Schürerplatz

2.69 MILES

Stein's lovely square with the baroque Mazzettihaus at its centre.

6. Rathausplatz

2.75 MILES

Stein's pretty and impressive central square: look for the 18th-century Steinerathaus.

7. Forum Frohner

2.91 MILES

Part of Krems' Kunsthalle network, this contemporary white cube is named after the artist Adolf Frohner and is housed in the former Minorite monastery. It…

8. Kunsthalle Krems

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One of the main attractions on Krems' Kunstmeile, the Kunsthalle has a program of changing exhibitions. These might be mid-19th-century landscapes or hard…

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