Location: Tyrol Map
Laudegg Castle is a medieval fortress in Tyrol province of Austria. Laudegg Castle stands on a strategic hill overlooking a town of Oberinntal and Lower Inn Valley.
The rock castle lies at the foot of the Samnaun group and is enthroned on a vertical slate rock high above the Upper Inn Valley.
The residential tower was built in the early Middle Ages and was
first mentioned in a document in 1239. A ministerial family from Laudeck
is documented as early as 1232 (court day of Duke Otto von Andechs in
Innsbruck). The castle was the administrative seat of the Upper Court
(Laudeck Court) up until the 17th century, and gradually fell into
disrepair when the administrative seat moved to Ried im Oberinntal.
In 1406 the people of Oberinntal joined the Appenzell peasant
uprising under Itel Reding. Ladis was burned down, the castle and
Steinegg Castle (above the Tullenfeld on the way up from the Pontlatz
Bridge), which served as an outwork, were destroyed. In the years that
followed, only the most necessary things were repaired. It was only
under Emperor Max, who was also interested in the Oblade Sauerbrunn,
that the castle was expanded again, but the promised funds were not
granted. It is documented as early as 1551 that the caretaker of Laudeck
resided in Sigmundsried Castle (built from 1471) and that the castle was
only used as a warehouse or weapons depot. In the 17th century, renewed
restorations were attempted, but the building remained desolate and
finally fell into disrepair with the abandonment of the guardianship
courts.
Partial restoration began in 1964.
The castle is
privately owned, but can be visited once a week in July and August.