Fortress Kufstein

One of the historical landmarks in the area of Tyrol in Austria is the Kufstein fortress. This massive fort is located on a hill in the town, which is located in the western part of the country. The picturesque area is located about 70 km northeast of the city of Innsbruck and only 2 km to the south of the border with Germany.

Historical sources mention the fortress Kufstein in the early 13th century. The building itself was built around the middle of the 12th century, the only major part of this period that survived was the barracks at the top of the palace, and it has now been completely reconstructed .

Since its inception on through the centuries the fortress Kufstein suffered extensive and regular changes and new extensions were constantly added. The best preserved medieval part of the castle till today is the Imperial Tower.

After 15 centuries in the next three centuries Kufstein is besieged by the military, throughout this long period siege works were added. The rotunda of the castle was built around 1475 and the last major construction here was in the 19th century when they built the new barracks. In the years of the first and second World War they constructed several tunnels under the castle to be used for shelters.

One of the most interesting attractions of the castle is situated in Kufstein Civic Tower - heroic authority or Body of Heroes, was the first to be given authority to open up to the public and was built in 1931.

Kufstein castle in the city is now a museum of Kufstein. The open part of it is used for concerts and meetings and in 2008 it broadcast the European football championships.