Kufstein fortress

The Kufstein fortress is not only the main attraction of the Austrian city, but also one of the most important monuments in Tyrol. From rock concerts to opera concerts or company and wedding celebrations - the medieval castle is booked today with pleasure for events of every kind. No wonder, because the flair there is unique!

Three different museums

Even if no event is planned in the historic premises, it is still worth the effort to get to the 90-metre-high building. In the meantime, three different museums have settled here.

In the Fortress and Local History Museum you will learn everything about the history of the fortress and the entire region from the early days to the present day. The museum in the Kaiserturm also commemorates the everyday life of the prisoners of that time. Parts of the fortress served as a state prison during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The third museum in the Bürgerturm houses a large collection of exhibits from the Tyrolean emperor hunters and marksmen. As the world's first and largest free organ, the hero organ is extremely worth seeing. Its powerful sound can be heard in part as far as neighbouring Bavaria and on the summit of the Wilder Kaiser. Can you imagine it? Then come by: Every day at 12 noon you can experience live how 4,948 pipes sound at the Heldenorgelkonzert. The concert is included in the entrance fee of the fortress.

Special exhibitions and guided tours

Besides the museums and the organ, the interesting special exhibitions are worth a visit. Here you can find out what a decisive role the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I played in the development of the fortress and what terrible torture methods were common in the Middle Ages.

Regular guided tours or children's workshops complete the offer. During the guided tour "Behind bars" you can, as the name already suggests, take a look behind the former prison doors. You will see how the prisoners, among them the famous Hungarian writer Ferenc Kazinczy, served their sentences. The special guided tour "Festung Kufstein bei Nacht" is also recommended.

Important: In winter the opening hours are shortened and the fortress and local history museum is closed.

The Kufstein fortress was first mentioned in a document in 1205 as the property of the Bavarian Duke Ludwig and the Bishop of Regensburg. In its long history, it has always been a focal point of warlike conflicts, especially between Bavaria and Tyrol. The Bavarian flag last flew here at the beginning of the 19th century, when Napoleon struck all of Tyrol against Bavaria. In 1814 the fortress came under Austrian rule again. At the time of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, part of the imperial tower served as a state prison.

By car:

The main entrance is located in the centre of Kufstein, close to the town hall. This can be reached via the motorway exits of the A93 Kufstein Süd, Kufstein Nord, Oberaudorf or Kiefersfelden. In Kufstein itself there are a number of central parking garages. Important: Vignettes are compulsory from the state border.

By public transport:

Via the Munich-Innsbruck-Verona long-distance transport link you can reach the holiday region of Kufstein. Since it is an Austrian/German border station, all important trains stop here. It is only a few minutes walk from the train station to the main entrance of the fortress.