Klaus Castle

The first documented mention of the complex dates back to 1175. In 1282, Albrecht von Habsburg enfeoffed Albero de Buchheim with the “strong fortress of Klaus” in recognition of his loyal military service. The Storch family acquired the fortress in 1512, and Ulrich von Storch had a castle built directly below the existing complex in 1578, which was later, in 1758, baroqueized. An episode occurred in 1610 when the subjects of Klaus, led by Ludwig and Christoph Storch, successfully prevented the passage of approximately 8000 soldiers of the “Passau War Army” through the narrow valley. Ludwig von Storch built a Protestant mountain church above the castle in 1616, which, however, was taken over by the Catholic parish of Klaus in 1674 as a result of the Counter-Reformation. In 1708, the estate passed to Count Franz Ludwig von Salburg. During the War of the Austrian Succession in 1742, Bavarian and French troops captured the fortress, but were surprised and taken prisoner by Baron von Trenck in the early hours of January 2nd.