Burg Lockenhaus

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Lockenhaus is famous for its castle, or more accurately, for its former resident Elizabeth Bäthory. Better known as the ‘Blood Countess’, she has gone down in history for her reign of terror early in the 17th century, when she reputedly tortured and murdered over 600 mainly peasant girls and women for her own sadistic pleasure. The castle has long been cleansed of such gruesome horrors but still contains the requisite and rather impressive torture chamber, complete with an iron maiden.

In addition to being a tourist attraction, the castle also houses hotel rooms and a restaurant.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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  • Firewatch Tower

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  • Old Synagogue

    Old Synagogue

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  • Harrer Chocolate Factory

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    Goat Church

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Nearby attractions

1. Europäisches Hundemuseum

6.69 MILES

The Europäisches Hundemuseum is Europe's only museum dedicated to our four-legged friends. The oddball collection of dog paraphernalia includes paintings,…

2. Felsenmuseum

7.95 MILES

This small museum in the town centre concentrates its displays on the gemstone serpentine and its local mining (it was first mined in the town in the mid…

4. Synagogue

20.86 MILES

Evidence of Sopron’s Jewish past can be seen at the crumbling Orthodox synagogue east of the Inner Town, boarded up and falling into disrepair. A plaque…

5. Holocaust Memorial

20.9 MILES

This Holocaust memorial, across the street from the derelict Orthodox synagogue, was erected with much political chest-beating in 2004. It features…

6. Old Synagogue

20.91 MILES

The Old Synagogue, built in the 14th century, contains two rooms, one for each sex (note the women’s windows along the west wall). The main room contains…

7. New Synagogue

20.93 MILES

Like the Old Synagogue, the New Synagogue was also built in the 14th century; both are among the greatest Jewish Gothic monuments in Europe. The New…

8. Scarbantia Forum

20.96 MILES

The Scarbantia Forum is an original Roman-era marketplace recently discovered under – and accessible through – an office block.