Schimmelsprung Castle

The Schimmelsprung ruin is located in Thunau am Kamp near Gars am Kamp in the Kamptal in Lower Austria, not far from the Gars am Kamp ruin, and stands on a rock about 100 m above the right bank of the Kamp river.

The first documented mention dates back to 1196 and it was the seat of the ministerial family of Thunau (Thumbenove). By the end of the 14th century, it began to fall into disrepair.

However, the ruin gets its name Schimmelsprung from the legends that surround it. In some of them, the lord of the castle is referred to as a Knight Templar, in others as a robber knight. In all versions, he is depicted as a very domineering and brutal knight who exploited his subjects to the last. After some time, the oppressed farmers would no longer tolerate this and besieged the castle. During the storming of the castle, the lord of the castle wanted to flee with his white horse. When he realized the hopeless situation, he spurred his horse and plunged over the cliff.

The castle was never rebuilt and has since fallen into ruin. However, the area of the former castle can still be guessed today due to the remaining wall remnants. Towards the Kamp, a very large part of the wall still stands, with existing loopholes. In addition, parts of walls with passages can still be seen.