Schloss Orth

Front picture of Orth Castle © Österreich Werbung / Julius Silver

Introducing our new series #AustrianExplorer! Today we are launching this new series as a follow-up to our focus on iconic landmarks in Austria #WahrzeichenWednesdays. Follow us as we travel throughout Austria and explore both famous and lesser known treasures and “sights worth seeing” #Sehenswürdigkeiten.

This week's destination is Schloss Orth in Upper Austria #Oberösterreich. The castle is renowned in part due to the co-produced Austrian-German television series "Schlosshotel Orth" (1996-2004) about a fictional hotel of the same name.

Picture of Orth castle taken from the lake © Karl Heinz Ruber

While the actual Schloss Orth did serve as the backdrop for the television show, it was never actually a hotel. Built in the tenth century on Traunsee lake in Gmunden, the castle was rebuilt in its current form after a fire in 1626. See photo 3 for a sketch from 1656 by Matthäus Merian.

1656 depiction by Matthaeus Merian of the castle with the Traunsee © Wikipedia

Schloss Orth, or Gmunden and Traunsee more generally, serve as a gateway to the Salzkammergut region, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape with gorgeous Alpine lakes, imposing mountains, and excellent hiking.