A six-story tower rises before us. This is Burg St. Jakob am Thurn. It stands as a testament to centuries of Salzburg’s history.
Burg St. Jakob am Thurn likely dates back to the 12th or 13th century. It was the seat of the Salzburg ministerial family, the Thurns. They held the office of Burggrafen in Salzburg. They also collected bridge tolls in Salzburg. The Thurn family even owned Burg Neubeuern am Inn from 1403.
Around 1200, the tower, north of the lake, was erected on a small rocky plateau. The annex was added during the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, the Lords of Thurn held the office of Burggrave in the city of Salzburg. They were likely based at the castle on the Imberg.
After Alexander Hieronymus Freiherr von Thurn zu Neubeuern died in 1647, the Plaz family inherited the Salzburg fiefdom. It included Schloss and Hofmark Thurn. The Plaz family was elevated to the rank of counts in 1696.
The tower itself is a sight to behold. Its walls are constructed from rough stone masonry. At the ground floor, the walls are an impressive 1.90 meters thick. The pyramidal roof is topped with a weather vane. Originally covered in shingles, the roof was later replaced with slate.
In medieval times, a three-story outbuilding with a gable roof was added. Late Gothic window frames adorn both structures. The entrance portals are made of stone and feature rounded arches. The portal leading into the tower showcases baroque elements. A 16th-century wall cross hangs under a protective roof nearby.
Inside, the outbuilding features vaulted rooms. Barrel vaults with stitch caps create a unique atmosphere. During the Baroque period, the rooms on the upper floor received ceilings with simple stucco mirrors. The tower has burned down twice in the 17th century but was renovated each time.
In 1924, Charlotte von Bornemann Wurmbrand-Stuppach bought the estate. In 1939, the Gestapo seized the property for the Reichsgau Salzburg. However, it was returned to the previous owner in 1947. Today, Martin Stuart and Ulrike Flatz own it.
Please note the castle is privately owned. You can only view it from the outside. Take a moment to appreciate the architecture. Consider the families who lived here. Burg St. Jakob am Thurn stands as a proud reminder of Salzburg’s past.