Ruine Hinterhaus: A Wachau Valley Sentinel

The Ruine Hinterhaus, also known as Oberhaus, is a captivating ruin that towers over the town of Spitz in Lower Austria. First mentioned in 1243, this ancient fortification sits on a spur of the Jauerling mountain, offering panoramic views of the Wachau region and the Danube River. The castle's origins trace back to the 12th century when it served as a strategic stronghold for the Kuenring family, who controlled trade and river tolls in the medieval Wachau. The complex is divided into three distinct sections: the lower castle to the northeast, the main castle occupying the majority of the ridge, and the southwestern outer bailey. The oldest part, the main castle, dates back to the 12th century. Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, the Knights of Spitz controlled the castle under the Kuenringers. Over the centuries, Ruine Hinterhaus has witnessed its share of conflict. It was taken and destroyed in 1409 during the Habsburg fraternal dispute. Although rebuilt in 1438, Hungarian troops seized it again in 1493. The castle gradually fell into disrepair after 1500. Today, the ruins are owned by the market town of Spitz and maintained by the local tourism association. Visitors can explore the well-preserved defensive walls, the Romanesque palace, and the keep. Legend has it that the ruin is haunted by the spirit of Adelheid, the wife of Henry the Iron, who appears every year on the anniversary of her death.