Durnstein, Austria - Castle and Iconic Blue Steeple

The town may be small but it is a much visiting tourist destination in the Wachau region.  The town gained its name from the medieval castle which overlooked it from a high cliff.  The Castle was called "Duerrstein", German Duerr meaning "dry" and stein, stone.  The castle was dry because it was situated on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill, and it was built of stone.

Durnstein was first mentioned in 1192 when King Richard I Lionheart of England was held captive by Duke Léopold V of Austria after their dispute during the Third Crusade.  There is a statue in the area (see a later post) to mark the event.

Ladee

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"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson

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