Gutrat Castle

The construction of Gutrat Castle in the 12th century was commissioned by Archbishop Adalbert III of Salzburg. Its purpose was to protect the saltworks at the foot of Tuval Mountain north of Hallein. Chuno von Werfen-Schnaitsee, a ministerialis of the archbishop and burgrave of Hohenwerfen, was appointed as the builder. By around 1209, Chuno referred to himself as “von Gutrat,” indicating that the castle was already completed by this time. The fortress was intended to consolidate the archiepiscopal rule in the Salzach Valley and secure territorial claims against the Berchtesgaden provostry. After the saltworks dried up, the castle lost its significance.