photo : Jeanne-Pierre Dalbera
Set high on a hill overlooking the Hungarian lowlands is Burg Bernstien. Once a much fought over fortification, this castle is now an historic hotel in Austria complete with its own resident ghosts!
Burg Bernstein
This is a castle with a somewhat checkered history, having been at various times in the ownership of Austrians and Hungarians as they fought over the borders between the two countries. Even the Turks had a tussle or two to try and get a foothold through the door during the Middle Ages.
And to this day there are signs that this beautiful Berg meant so much to its ancient owners they won’t leave its stately splendour. The ghosts of the Red Knight and White Lady are said to roam the castle’s rooms, whilst other former inhabitants gaze down at guests from the awe inspiring artistry in the portrait gallery.
It’s a Baroque beauty on the inside, the earlier Gothic interior having been been destroyed by an explosion in the gunpowder room - what else would gunpowder do, I wonder!
The castle is owned by the Almásy dynasty of Hungarian descent, whose family opened part of the castle to the public during the 1940′s, as a unique hotel with antique appeal . The care and concern the owners bestow on their guests has led to rave reviews by many, that the castle is:
a place for dreamers and lovers, and those who will not let go of the ‘spirit’ of the house – Tripadvisor
Whilst some may not appreciate its allure, for many more Burg Bernstein would seem to show off the best of Austrian appeal. It’s described as a place where ‘ it feels like a fairy tale’ and guests can enjoy ‘the sound of silence’, as they eat their breakfast in the romantic courtyard or dine in delight in the Knight’s hall where candlelit dinners are served.
The English Patient
Another of Burg Bernstein’s former inhabitants has secured his place in history in a more modern world way. In 1992 Micheal Ondaatje’s novel ‘The English Patient’ brought the story of Count László de Almásy to the attention to the wider world.
This Count of the castle had a penchant for adventure. He was a desert explorer; a racing car driver; and according to the novel, an ardent amour!
The novel was later brought to film fans and Ralph Fiennes appeared as the critically injured ‘English patient’ who spoke with a foreign accent and was reluctant to ponder his past. The film is about love, fate and misunderstanding; depicting the Count’s (alleged) affair with a married woman during WWΙΙ.
Truly steamy stuff!