We are in Dürnstein in the Wachau, the wonderful stretch of river in Austria. We enter the second smallest town in Austria, which was once protected by a defensive wall all the way up to the castle by the Kremser or Stony Gate, with a gate tower dating back to the 15th century. Everywhere, as far as possible, the Middle Ages have been preserved, something particularly pleasing to visitors.

As early as the 11th century, the Kuenrings came from the Bavarian-Saxon region and were honored the area as an imperial fiefdom. The blue church tower of the Augustinian Monastery, next to it a wall remnant of the Church of the Poor Claire, which was built around 1300.

Castle Dürnstein became famous through a legend. The English King Richard the Lionheart had allegedly insulted the Babenbergers' flag on the Crusade in the Holy Land, and had chosenhis way back through Austria. Here he was recognised and held prisoner in this castle for three months until the ransom demanded was paid.

The castle has been in ruins since it was destroyed by the Swedes in the Thirty Years' War, but its exposed position on a rocky promontory enclosed by the Danubeis still impressive today.