Lauerturm (St. Martin im Mühlkreis)

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The tower by the Danube under Neuhaus Castle an der Donau (2006)
Lauerturm on the Danube near Untermühl

The Lauerturm, also known as the chain tower , is located in the Untermühl district of the municipality of St. Martin im Mühlkreis in the Rohrbach district of Upper Austria .

history

The tower ( turn ) is first mentioned in 1386. It is a chain lock tower on the left bank that belonged to Neuhaus Castle . This was then owned by the Schaunbergers , who in 1371 had received permission from the sovereign Duke Albrecht IV to collect tolls on the Danube.

The high and arbitrary tolls led the merchants to complain against the Schaunberger to the sovereign. That was the reason for Heinrich von Schaunberg to develop his castle into a fortress. In 1380 there was an open feud between the Schaunbergers and the Habsburgs . Since the siege of Neuhaus Castle was unsuccessful, an arbitration award should end the feud. However, even afterwards traders were hindered from continuing their journey. Another award forbade the Schaunbergers to collect tolls here. This decision was also not recognized by the Schaunbergers and as a result the Schaunbergers began to build another castle opposite Neuhaus (the so-called Schaunberger Burgstall in the community of Aschach an der Donau , built between 1380 and 1386). This led to the so-called second Schaunberg feud , but this was defeated and had to recognize the sovereign.

Remnants of fired clay bricks refer to maintenance work around 1585 under Albrecht von Sprinzenstein .

In the French Wars at the beginning of the 19th century, the Danube is said to have been cordoned off for the last time. Napoleon is said to have taken the necklace to Paris as a souvenir .

These historical facts can also be found in fabulous form. After that, toll officers robbed merchants on Neuhaus and held them prisoner on a rock slab popularly known as “Kammerstein”.

  • Lauerturm: side view
  • Lauerturm: indoor area
  • Lauerturm: granite portal to the Danube
  • Lauerturm: View of the Danube

Lauerturm today

A wild and romantic path leads to the tower, starting from the fire station in Untermühl. After about 800 meters you will reach the tower. This sits directly on the Danube on a granite block. From the tower you have a wonderful view of the Danube flowing past.

The tower has still existing walls on three sides. A noteworthy loopholes have been preserved in the northern wall. Towards the Danube there is an artfully crafted stone door frame, which is secured by a grille. Above it are two broken windows.

literature

  • Norbert Grabherr : Castles and palaces in Upper Austria. A guide for castle hikers and friends of home . 3. Edition. Oberösterreichischer Landesverlag, Linz 1976, ISBN 3-85214-157-5 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Fritz Winkler: Legends from the Mühlviertel part 2., Danube legends from the area between the Bavarian border and Landshaag. Oberösterreichischer Landesverlag, Linz, 1966, pp. 110–111

Coordinates: 48 ° 25 ′ 21 ″  N , 13 ° 59 ′ 16 ″  E