Ruine Hinterhaus: A Medieval Fortress near Spitz an der Donau, Austria

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.ruinehinterhaus.at

Country: Austria

Civilization: Medieval European

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Ruine Hinterhaus, also known as Oberhaus, is a historic fortress situated near the municipality of Spitz an der Donau in present-day Austria. The stronghold was originally constructed by medieval settlers in the 12th century, serving as a defensive and residential complex within the region. Its earliest written record dates to 1243, confirming its existence during a period of expanding feudal control along the Danube.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle belonged to the knights of Spitz, who operated as vassals under the influential Kuenring family, a prominent noble lineage in Lower Austria. This connection positioned the fortress within the feudal hierarchy, reflecting its role in regional governance and defense. Through this period, Ruine Hinterhaus functioned as a local stronghold, overseeing surrounding lands with strategic importance.

The site is also tied to local folklore, particularly stories of a spectral figure named Adelheid. According to legend, Adelheid was the wife of one Heinrich called “the Iron.” After Heinrich’s death, Adelheid is said to appear at the ruins every year on the anniversary of his passing. This haunting is told to be a form of penance, linked to Heinrich’s remarriage shortly after her demise. While these tales are part of the castle’s cultural memory, they provide insight into the personal histories and social values of the castle’s former inhabitants.

In the modern era, the ruin came under public ownership in 1970 when it was acquired by the market town of Spitz. Beginning in 1977, local groups began efforts to preserve and maintain the remains, reflecting renewed interest in safeguarding this historical landmark.

Remains

Ruine Hinterhaus occupies a prominent rocky ridge of the Jauerling range, overlooking the Tausendeimerberg vineyard. The remains reveal a hilltop castle complex divided clearly into three distinct sections. The main part of the fortress is located on the central rocky outcrop known as Hausberg, which forms the dominant feature of the site. Two outer baileys, one to the northeast and the other to the southwest, flank this central core, creating a layered defensive layout.

The main castle, dating from the 12th century, is primarily constructed of local stone and built to exploit the natural rocky terrain for defense. While the structure now stands in ruins, it preserves the footprint of the medieval fortifications that once commanded views across the Wachau region. The two outer baileys functioned as additional defensive enclosures or service areas, positioned to control access to the central fortress. These sections demonstrate the strategic planning customary to hill castles of the time.

Today, the ruins remain accessible and maintained within the site’s boundaries, allowing visitors to appreciate the spatial arrangement of the castle on its elevated ridge. The location’s commanding outlook over both natural and cultivated landscapes underlines the fortress’s historical role in overseeing its surroundings. The combination of preserved structural elements and the site’s natural topography provides a tangible sense of the medieval fortification’s form and function.