The Hausberg in Gaiselberg
Historical sites
Description
Built from 1160 AD, the Hausberg in Gaiselberg is regarded as the best-preserved and largest medieval fortress of its kind in the whole of Austria.
The term ‘Hausberg’ refers to a castle on a hill, also known as a motte castle. It is partially or completely situated on a mound built by piling up earth, or is cut out of the ground. The core of the castle, which is often round, can be protected by palisades and ditches as well as by an outer bailey, the outer enclosure of the castle. The main building was usually tower-shaped, made of stone (known as a ‘Festes Haus’, or fortified residence) or wood, and served as a stately residential and defensive building for the lords of the castle.
A fortress of quality
Led by Fritz Felgenhauer, archaeological investigations into the Hausberg in Gaiselberg were carried out systematically between 1958 and 1972. It is the largest and best-preserved Hausberg in Austria. Today, the castle’s appearance is characterized by a core structure with a triple rampart-and-ditch system. The excavations indicate that the earliest structure was built around 1160, probably by the Kuenring family. Around 1240, the complex was expanded further to include three sets of walls (a curtain wall) and a ‘Festes Haus’ with stone foundations. These structures even survived a fire that broke out around 1400. Until 1350, the castle was the seat of the Kuenring family.
A knight’s seat for 350 years
Weapons, riding equipment, dice for leisure activities, an artistically painted glass cup that was probably made in Syria and a small clay jousting horse attest to the knightly lifestyle of Gaiselberg’s noble inhabitants. The jousting horse is part of a toy tournament set, as shown in illustrations in manuscripts. Analysis of the archaeological finds, especially the pottery finds, determined that the settlement developed in three main phases and enabled these to be dated.
It was only around 350 years after the complex had been built, in the early 16th century, that the ‘Festes Haus’ was demolished and the castle abandoned. Today, the Hausberg belongs to the municipality of Gaiselberg.
