HohenSalzburg is the mightiest fortress in central Europe. It is a powerful castle sitting in a prominent position dominating the skyline of the town of Salzburg in Austria. Salzburg Castle is one of the largest and best preserved medieval castles in all of Europe.  During its long history, it has never been conquered by enemy troops. Construction began in 1077 and by 1462 the ring walls and towers were built.  Exploring the huge grounds of this castle can take hours with full access to almost all areas: there are stables, kitchens, battlements, towers and impressive state rooms for the powerful archbishops that ruled from this high perch. In Salzburg, the Archbishops were influential political figures who profited hugely from nearby salt mines. Consequently, the castle has expanded over the centuries to protect their interests and their large entourage. To access HohenSalzburg you can either take a cable car or hike the old one track road to the main gates. As you labour your way up the steep hill to the main gate you gain a distinct appreciation for how hard it would have been to capture this mighty castle.