ERASMUS LGCE MEETING IN PETTENBACH AUSTRIA THE HOHENSALZBURG

ERASMUS + LGCE MEETING IN PETTENBACH – AUSTRIA THE HOHENSALZBURG CASTLE BY AURORA MAZZARO I. C. DE AMICIS- DA VINCI – CASERTA - ITALY

The construction of the fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein. The original design was a basic bailey with a wooden wall. In the Holy Roman Empire, the archbishops of Salzburg expanded the castle to protect their interests. The castle was gradually expanded during the following centuries. The ring walls and towers were built in 1462 under Prince-Archbishop Burkhard II von Weißpriach. In 1515, the Reisszug, a primitive funicular railway provided the access to the upper courtyard of the castle. The line still exists and it is probably the oldest operational railway in the world. The current external bastions, begun in the 16 th century and completed in the 17 th, were added as a precaution because of fear of Turkish Invasion. During the Thirty Years' War, the town's defenses were strengthened, including Hohensalzburg Castle. Various parts were added to the fortress, such as the gunpowder stores and additional gatehouses. The fortress was surrendered to French troops during the Napoleonic War of the Second Coalition in 1800 and the last Prince-Archbishop Count Hieronymus von Colloredo fled to Vienna. In the 19 th century, the castle was used as barracks, storage depot and prison before being abandoned in 1861.