Ort Castle (also spelled Orth until the early 20th century) is a complex of two castles on Lake Traunsee and is located in the town of Gmunden. It consists of the better known lake castle on an island in the Traunsee and the country castle connected over the bridge. The Seeschloss is one of the oldest buildings in the Salzkammergut. It served as the outside backdrop for the television series Schlosshotel Orth.
Schloss Ort – meaning the lake castle – was first mentioned in a document in 909 and later in 1053. Originally the castle was a moated castle, but was rebuilt in its present form after the fire in 1626.
Between 1996 and 2004 the castle was the scene of the successful television series Schlosshotel Orth, which led to some confusion among tourists, as the castle walls do not house a hotel, but only a restaurant with a wine bar.
A special feature of the castle is the clockwork from 1634, which today still has to be wound by hand every day. Today the castle houses the Orther Stub’n restaurant and the Orther Stub’n souvenir shop. In addition, events (concerts, readings) and up to 362 weddings a year take place here.
The Orter Bay silting zone in the west of the Seeschloss is under nature protection.
Sights in the castle:
- Romantic courtyard in late Gothic style
- Palas (interiors)
- Wappensaal (interior)
- Church (built in 1634), dedicated to Jacob the Elder
- Starvation tower
- Dungeon cells and museum