Moosham Castle Austria: The Witches' Castle of Salzburg
Nestled in the rugged, spruce-dotted mountains of Austria’s Lungau region, Moosham Castle stands as a formidable relic of medieval history. Perched at 1,079 meters (3,540 feet) above sea level, this spur castle overlooks the serene alpine valleys of Salzburg, its ancient stones whispering tales of power, persecution, and the paranormal. Known as Schloss Moosham in German, it is more famously dubbed the "Witches' Castle" due to its chilling role in the Salzburg Witch Trials of 1675–1690. These trials, among the bloodiest in Austrian history, saw hundreds accused, tortured, and executed within the castle’s walls. But Moosham’s dark legacy doesn’t end there—stories of werewolf hunts, ghostly apparitions, and eerie phenomena have cemented its reputation as one of Europe’s most haunted castles.
In this 5000-word exploration, we’ll journey through Moosham Castle’s storied past, from its 12th-century origins to its modern-day allure as a dark tourism destination. We’ll uncover the horrors of the Zaubererjackl witch trials, delve into the castle’s architectural evolution, and examine the werewolf legends that gripped the region in the 19th century. Whether you’re a history buff, a paranormal enthusiast, or a traveler seeking unique destinations, Moosham Castle offers a hauntingly unforgettable experience. Let’s step into its shadowed halls and unravel the mysteries of the Witches' Castle of Salzburg.
A Fortress Born in the Medieval Age
Moosham Castle’s history begins in the late 12th century, with its first documented mention in a deed from 1191. Possibly constructed on the foundations of a Roman castrum fortress, the castle was strategically built on a high spur, offering a commanding view of the surrounding Lungau region. This location made it an ideal defensive stronghold, a common trait of spur castles designed to dominate and protect key territories. The castle’s early owners, the Moosheim family, gave it its name, but by 1285, it was seized by the powerful Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, who transformed it into a regional administrative center.
Under the rule of the Prince-Archbishops, Moosham Castle became a symbol of ecclesiastical and secular authority. In the 14th century, it served as the residence of an episcopal burgrave, a governor appointed to oversee the region. The castle’s strategic importance grew, and by 1495, Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach initiated significant rebuilding and expansion efforts, modernizing its defenses and enhancing its grandeur. These renovations included fortified walls, towers, and residential quarters, transforming Moosham into a formidable fortress capable of withstanding sieges.
Throughout its early centuries, Moosham witnessed a turbulent history of conflict. It was besieged during the German Peasants’ War of 1524–1525, a widespread revolt against feudal oppression. In 1611, Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau briefly sought refuge at Moosham during his flight from Salzburg, only to be captured shortly afterward. These events underscore the castle’s role as a key player in regional politics and warfare, its walls bearing witness to the struggles of medieval Europe.
Yet, it was not battles or sieges that would define Moosham’s legacy. In the late 17th century, the castle became the epicenter of one of the most horrific episodes in Austrian history: the Zaubererjackl witch trials. These trials, fueled by mass hysteria and superstition, would forever brand Moosham as the Witches' Castle.
The Zaubererjackl Witch Trials: A Dark Chapter
The Salzburg Witch Trials, also known as the Zaubererjackl Trials, unfolded between 1675 and 1690, marking one of the darkest periods in Moosham Castle’s history. Unlike many witch hunts across Europe, which predominantly targeted women, these trials were unusual for their focus on men, particularly young males, many of whom were beggars, vagrants, or homeless children. The trials resulted in the execution of 139 people, including 39 children aged 10 to 14, 53 teenagers, and others ranging up to 80 years old. The brutality of these events left an indelible scar on the region and cemented Moosham’s sinister reputation.
The Spark of Hysteria
The trials began in 1675 with the arrest of Barbara Kollerin, a woman accused of theft and sorcery. Under torture, Kollerin implicated her son, Paul Jacob Koller, known as "Wizard Jackl," in a supposed pact with the devil. Jackl, a charismatic figure rumored to lead a gang of vagrants, became the focal point of the authorities’ fears. Although Jackl himself was never captured, his alleged followers—mostly marginalized individuals with no one to vouch for their character—became easy targets for persecution.
The accusations snowballed, driven by a toxic mix of religious fervor, fear of disease, and post-war instability. The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) had left Europe ravaged, with famine, plague, and poverty fueling paranoia about witchcraft. In Salzburg, authorities believed witches were responsible for crop failures, livestock deaths, and other misfortunes. Moosham Castle, as the administrative hub of the Lungau region, became the nerve center for the trials, handling everything from accusations to executions.
The Horrors Within Moosham’s Walls
The accused were subjected to unimaginable cruelty within Moosham’s dungeons. The castle’s torture chamber, equipped with devices like the strappado and thumb screws, was notorious for extracting confessions. Victims were branded with hot irons, had their hands severed, or were burned alive, hanged, or beheaded. The youngest victim, a 10-year-old boy named Hannerl, and the oldest, 80-year-old Margarethe Reinberg, represent the tragic breadth of those targeted.
What made the Zaubererjackl Trials particularly chilling was their scale and demographic. Of the 139 executed, 113 were male, a stark contrast to the female-dominated witch hunts elsewhere. Most victims were destitute, with 109 executions occurring in 1681 alone. The trials targeted society’s most vulnerable, exploiting their lack of social standing to justify their persecution.
The End of the Trials
By 1690, the trials subsided, likely due to a combination of waning hysteria and growing skepticism about witchcraft accusations. The Zaubererjackl Trials left a lasting impact on Salzburg, with Moosham Castle standing as a grim monument to the era’s injustices. Today, the castle hosts an exhibition on the Jackl myth and Salzburg’s witch hunts, offering visitors a sobering look at this tragic chapter.
Werewolf Legends: A New Horror Emerges
As if the witch trials weren’t enough, Moosham Castle gained further infamy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries due to rumors of werewolves prowling its grounds. By 1790, Archbishop Count Hieronymus von Colloredo dissolved the Moosham bailiwick, cutting off the castle’s funding and leaving it in disrepair. During this period of neglect, locals reported mysterious deaths of deer and cattle near the castle, their carcasses often mutilated.
Superstitious villagers, still reeling from the region’s history of supernatural fears, concluded that werewolves were responsible. In a chilling echo of the witch trials, the castle’s remaining residents were accused of transforming into these half-man, half-beast creatures under the cover of night. The accused were rounded up, tortured, and executed in the castle courtyard, their deaths adding another layer of tragedy to Moosham’s history.
These werewolf hunts, though less documented than the witch trials, highlight the enduring power of superstition in rural Austria. The castle’s isolated location and dark reputation made it a natural focal point for such tales, ensuring its place in local folklore.
Architectural Evolution: From Fortress to Museum
Despite its gruesome history, Moosham Castle is a architectural marvel, reflecting centuries of construction and adaptation. Its medieval core, likely built on Roman foundations, was expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries under Prince-Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach. The castle’s spur design, with its elevated position and fortified walls, was optimized for defense, offering panoramic views of potential threats.
Key features include:
The Keep and Towers: The central keep, surrounded by defensive towers, provided both security and prestige. These structures were reinforced during the 1495 renovations to withstand artillery.
The Courtyard: The castle’s courtyard served as a multifunctional space, hosting everything from administrative functions to public executions during the witch trials.
The Dungeons: The underground dungeons, where accused witches and werewolves were imprisoned, remain a chilling highlight for visitors.
The Residential Quarters: The Prince-Archbishops’ living quarters, later restored, showcase medieval opulence with ornate furnishings and artwork.
By the late 18th century, Moosham’s decline left it in ruins. In 1886, Austrian explorer and art patron Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek purchased the castle and restored it to its former glory. Wilczek’s extensive art collection, including sculptures, paintings, and hunting weapons, is now displayed in the castle’s museum, offering a glimpse into its later, more cultured phase.
The Haunted Legacy: Ghosts of Moosham
Moosham Castle’s dark history has fueled countless tales of paranormal activity, earning it a reputation as one of Europe’s most haunted sites. Visitors and staff report a range of eerie experiences, including:
Phantom Footsteps and Voices: The sound of footsteps echoing through empty corridors and whispers in the dungeons are commonly reported.
Unseen Touches and Cold Spots: Many claim to feel invisible hands brushing against them or sudden drops in temperature, particularly in the torture chamber.
Ghostly Apparitions: White mists, shadowy figures, and apparitions believed to be the spirits of executed witches are frequently sighted.
Slamming Doors and Banging Sounds: Unexplained noises, such as doors opening and closing on their own, add to the castle’s eerie atmosphere.
The castle’s haunted reputation was amplified by a 2014 episode of Ghost Hunters International titled “Witches’ Castle,” which investigated its supernatural claims. The episode documented unsettling phenomena, further cementing Moosham’s status as a paranormal hotspot.
Locals believe the spirits of the witch trial victims, particularly the children, linger within the castle, unable to find peace. The werewolf legends also contribute to the lore, with some claiming to hear howls or see beastly shadows on moonlit nights. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the castle’s oppressive atmosphere is undeniable, making it a magnet for dark tourists and ghost hunters.
Moosham Castle Today: A Dark Tourism Destination
Today, Moosham Castle is privately owned but open to the public, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and macabre intrigue. Located just an hour’s drive from Salzburg via the A10 Tauern Motorway, it’s easily accessible for day-trippers. Visitors can explore the castle through guided tours, which cover its medieval architecture, witch trial history, and paranormal lore.
What to See and Do
The Torture Chamber: A replica torture chamber showcases the gruesome methods used during the witch trials, providing a sobering reminder of the era’s brutality.
The Museum: The castle’s museum, housed in Wilczek’s restored rooms, features artifacts from the witch trials, including an executioner’s sword, alongside medieval furniture and art.
The Polar Expedition Exhibit: A surprising addition, this exhibit highlights Wilczek’s contributions to Arctic exploration, offering a contrast to the castle’s darker themes.
Overnight Stays: For the brave, Moosham offers limited accommodations, allowing guests to experience its haunting ambiance after dark.
The surrounding Lungau region enhances the castle’s appeal, with its lush forests, hiking trails, and alpine vistas. Visitors can combine a trip to Moosham with other Salzburg attractions, such as Hohensalzburg Fortress or the historic Altstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Practical Tips for Visitors
Getting There: Take bus #270 from Salzburg’s train station bus center for a 2-hour journey to Moosham, with a stop near the castle.
Admission: The castle is open seven days a week, with guided tours available for a small fee. Check the official website for current hours and pricing.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes for exploring the castle’s uneven terrain, a camera for capturing its eerie beauty, and an open mind for its supernatural tales.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, while summer provides longer daylight hours for exploring the region.
The Cultural Impact of Moosham Castle
Moosham Castle’s legacy extends beyond its walls, influencing Austrian folklore, literature, and media. The Zaubererjackl Trials, with their focus on Wizard Jackl, have inspired local myths about sorcery and rebellion. The castle’s werewolf legends, meanwhile, reflect broader European fears of the unknown, paralleling stories like those of Transylvania’s Dracula.
In modern times, Moosham has become a symbol of dark tourism, a growing trend where travelers seek out sites associated with death and tragedy. As Beverley Boden, a dark tourism researcher, notes, such sites offer “a profound opportunity for reflection and education,” fostering empathy for past injustices. Moosham’s ability to blend historical education with supernatural intrigue makes it a standout destination in this genre.
The castle has also appeared in popular culture, from the Ghost Hunters International episode to mentions in travel blogs and horror podcasts like Destination Terror. Its ominous appearance has earned it a spot on lists of Europe’s most haunted castles, alongside sites like Frankenstein’s Castle in Germany. On platforms like Reddit, users share photos and stories of Moosham, calling it an “evil building” that looks like a supervillain’s lair.
Reflections on Moosham’s Legacy
Moosham Castle is more than a historical site; it’s a testament to the human capacity for both cruelty and resilience. The Zaubererjackl Trials reveal the dangers of fear-driven persecution, targeting society’s most vulnerable in the name of justice. The werewolf hunts, similarly, highlight the destructive power of superstition. Yet, the castle’s transformation into a museum and cultural site shows how humanity can confront its past, preserving these stories as warnings for future generations.
For visitors, Moosham offers a chance to grapple with these complex themes while immersing themselves in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. The contrast between the castle’s serene alpine surroundings and its grim history creates a powerful emotional impact, making it a destination that lingers in the mind long after the visit ends.
Conclusion: Why Visit the Witches' Castle?
Moosham Castle, the Witches' Castle of Salzburg, is a place where history and horror intertwine. Its medieval architecture, haunting witch trial legacy, and eerie paranormal tales make it a must-visit for anyone intrigued by Austria’s past or the darker side of human nature. Whether you’re drawn by the chance to walk through a torture chamber, marvel at medieval art, or test your courage against ghostly apparitions, Moosham delivers an experience unlike any other.