Exhibitions & museums at Castle Mauterndorf

Immerse yourself in the history of Mautburg Castle - from the Romans to the present day

All exhibitions included in the castle entrance fee!

Enjoy the view from the fortified tower & see what life was like in the Middle Ages

A special highlight - in the truest sense of the word - of Castle Mauterndorf is the 44-meter-high fortified tower. It once served as a refuge for the inhabitants of the castle in the event of a siege. Today, a visit to the defense tower is not only worthwhile because of the breathtaking view over the Lungau region, but also because of its excellent condition, which is unique in Europe. In addition, life-size figures in various scenes give you exciting insights into everyday life during the siege and turn the lovingly restored defense tower into an exciting "hands-on museum".

Every Thursday during the winter season additionally at 18:00 there is also an atmospheric guided tour of the defense tower.

The toll station

Where travelers once had to make their contribution

As in times gone by, the toll station is still the first stop that visitors to the castle pass through. The Mauterndorf toll station was first mentioned in a document in 1002 and was located on the Tauern Road, which used to be of great importance for trade. Most business between Salzburg and Italy was conducted via this toll road. All traders transporting products had to pay tolls here. Wine was the most important trade item: Over 10,000 loads of wine were brought over the Tauern every year. In the toll station, a pack horse, a horse with a two-wheeled cart as well as barrels and chests are reminders of days long past.

Rock cellar, knights' hall & state rooms

Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages in the main castle building

The main building of Castle Mauterndorf shows what life was like in the Middle Ages. For example, you can learn exciting details about the importance of the castle's protective function from the weapons in the rock cellar. Another highlight are the representative rooms such as the Knights' Hall and the living and sleeping quarters of Prince Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach, which you can also explore.

Between Gothic frescoes & heavenly silence in the castle chapel

The castle chapel, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is home to one of the most extraordinary High Gothic fresco paintings in the province of Salzburg. Dating from around 1350, the chapel has the shape of a rectangular hall with a flat ceiling. The gallery of the chapel has been open to visitors since 2018. The pictures on the choir wall are also particularly worth seeing, combining figures and motifs from the Old and New Testaments and linking the exaltation of Mary with the basic idea of true Christian dominion. A place to pause for thought - but also to get married.

Special exhibition "Epenstein"

Patron, honorary citizen & godfather of Göring

The special exhibition introduces you to the Berlin doctor Dr. Hermann Epenstein, who saved the castle from decay. He acquired the castle in 1894, had it restored in exemplary fashion and used it as his summer residence until the First World War. The market town later awarded Dr. Epenstein honorary citizenship and he became an Austrian citizen. Although Epenstein's father was a Jew who had converted to the Catholic faith, Hermann Epenstein became the godfather of the later Nazi criminal Hermann Göring. For this reason, Castle Mauterndorf came into the possession of the Nazi criminal for several years after Epenstein's death in 1934. The special exhibition is dedicated to the multifaceted life and work of Hermann Epenstein, as well as his relationship with Hermann Göring.

Discover the history of a region in the Lungau Landscape Museum

Until 50 years ago, only the castle tavern was accessible in Castle Mauterndorf. Over time, the desire for a museum dedicated to the history of Salzburger Lungau grew. For many years, treasures of Lungau's culture, fauna and flora, its population and customs, photographs showing Lungau then and now, as well as the colorful works of art by Lungau pastor August Schreilechner were collected, which can now be admired in the Lungau Landscape Museum in Castle Mauterndorf.

The Lungau Landscape Museum is openduring the summer season when Castle Mauterndorf is open. The museum is closed in winter.

What else there is to experience at Castle Mauterndorf:

Calendar of events
Offers for children & families
Gastronomy
Circular path and drawbridge