Kufstein Fortress

Kufstein, Austria

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Kufstein Fortress, located on a hill above the town of Kufstein in Tyrol, Austria, is a prominent medieval stronghold first mentioned in 1205. Built to control the Alpine entrance to the Inntal valley, it has a rich history of changing hands between Bavaria and Tyrol. In 1504, Emperor Maximilian I captured the fortress and expanded it with the construction of the massive Kaiserturm tower, completing it in 1522, which transformed the castle into a formidable fortress.

The site also features the world's largest open-air pipe organ, known as the Heroes' Organ, which plays daily and can be heard throughout the town. The fortress is accessible by foot or via a funicular and today hosts museums, exhibitions, and cultural events, making it a major heritage and tourist attraction in the region.