Burgruine Scharnstein

The Burgruine Scharnstein stands on a rock above the Tiessenbachtal in the village of Scharnstein. Built in the 12th century, it was once owned by the counts of Rebgau, then by the Polheimers, Walseers and Bernhard von Scherffenberg. In 1499 Maximilian I bought it and turned it into a hunting base. A fire in 1538 left the castle a ruin, and the administration moved to Neuscharnstein nearby. The ruins show two towers: the Mitterturm above the main castle and the Hochturm on a higher rock. A small chapel carved into the rock marks the path up from the Tiessenbach. The Habsburgs kept the estate until 1584, when Helmhart Jörger acquired it and let the old castle decay further. Today the site offers views over the valley and the remains of walls and towers. The chapel and the two towers are the most visible parts. The ruins belong to Stift Kremsmünster, which has owned them since 1626.