Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

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a German stronghold during brought to his attention,
World War II. The present castle he set about developing
dates from the 17th century. them. A shrewd
The fortress is surrounded and businessman, he soon
defended by a 3-km (2-mile) turned this quiet corner
long wall with eleven bastions, of southeastern Styria
seven gates and two moats, into a modern resort
and can only be approached that attracted visitors
by a long steep climb. The with its promise of
castle buildings begin beyond painless treatments for
the sixth gate. The first building heart disease, circulatory
is the former armoury with a and respiratory ailments,
collection of arms and war problems of the digestive
machines used in the defence tract and rheumatic
of the fortress during a siege. conditions. Consequently,
In the courtyard stands a monu- Bad Gleichenberg
ment to soldiers killed during became one of the most
World War II. Beyond the second popular destinations for
moat are the buildings of the the health-conscious
castle proper, which houses a Austrian aristocracy,
museum dedicated to the who also congregated
Liechtenstein family, now owners on the local promenade, The octagonal tower of the late-Gothic town hall,
of the castle and who played an and in the magnificent Bad Radkersburg
important role in the turbulent park, which now displays
history of Austria and Europe. statues of its former visitors late-Gothic town hall with its
In the inner courtyard you hidden among the octagonal clock tower topped
will find a well surrounded shrubbery. The town has by a belfry. The Marian or Plague
by an intricate wrought- many surviving villas and Column in the square dates
iron enclosure featuring a Secession-style palaces; from 1681, and the surrounding
horseshoe. Is it said that one of the most houses with their patios and
those who succeed in beautiful is the shaded galleries are the former
tracing the horseshoe old theatre, now homes of noblemen and rich
among the intricate housing a cinema. citizens. The house at No. 9
decorations may once belonged to the von
count on good luck. Environs: A short way Eggenbergs, one of Styria’s
The twelve castle north of the spa town, most powerful families.
rooms housing the in Gleichenberg village, Like many of its neighbours,
Witches’ Museum are stands the medieval Bad Radkersburg is also a spa
devoted to those Schloss Kornberg. Built as town and health resort whose
horrendous times in a fortress in the 13th cen- health-giving mineral waters
medieval European tury, it was transformed attract numerous visitors.
history when many Statue of Graf von into a residential palace
women (and some Wickenburg, Bad in the 17th century.
men) were tortured, Gleichenberg Today it is a two-storey
burned at the stake castle complex with
and otherwise persecuted. four towers, and a magnificent
The museum has many Renaissance courtyard.
fascinating exhibits recounting
the most gruesome of tales.
e Bad Radkersburg
w Bad Road map F5. * 3,100. @ £
Gleichenberg Tel (03476) 25450.
Road map F5. * 5,500. Bad Radkersburg, on the
@ Tel (03159) 2203. Slovenian border, was founded
as a town in 1265 by the
Once the most popular health Bohemian King Ottokar. Once a
resort in Styria, Bad Gleichenberg fortified border post as well as
was developed in 1834 by an important trade centre and
Matthias Constantin Capello transhipment harbour on the
Graf von Wickenburg. When the Mur river, today it is a peaceful
therapeutic properties of the small town, which still bears
local spring waters – already many signs of its former glory. The Plague Column on Hauptplatz in
known to the Romans – were In the main square stands the Bad Radkersburg

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