Moosham Castle

Moosham Castle, nestled near Unternberg in Salzburg’s Lungau region at 1,079 m, was first documented in 1191 and later fortified by the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg. Despite idyllic mountain views, the castle’s chambers conceal one of Europe’s most sinister legacies: the Zaubererjackl witch trials of 1675–1690. Over this period, 139 individuals—mostly male beggars and children aged 10 to 21—were tortured, branded, and executed on charges of witchcraft, often burned or strangled after gruesome punishments.

The castle served as both court and execution site, functioning as an administrative center under Archbishop Max Gandolph von Kuenburg. Its grim halls were witness to torture implements, executions, and miscarriages of justice on a terrifying scale.

Restored in the late 19th century by Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek, Moosham retains richly decorated interiors—marble fireplaces, Gothic ceilings, art collections, and a preserved torture chamber. Yet beneath the elegance lingers haunting energy. Guided tours delve into the castle’s medieval art, Roman relics, and chilling tales of werewolves, ghostly apparitions, shadow figures, disembodied footsteps, and cold spots—bringing history and supernatural lore into eerie alignment.