Kniepass fortress: Refurbishment starts for 14 million euros!

Kniepass fortress: Refurbishment starts for 14 million euros!

On March 24, 2025, it became known that the Kniepass fortress in the municipality of Unken, Zell am See district, Salzburg, will be renovated for 14 million euros. This significant historical building system should not only be repaired, but also restored. The aim of the renovation is to preserve the historical substance of the fortress and make it more accessible to visitors. The work is planned for the coming years.

The Kniepass Fortress has a rich story that goes back to the Bronze Age. Archaeological finds prove a settlement from the early Middle Ages, especially from the 9th and 10th centuries, which points out that this position was an important defense system. The first documentary mention of the knee passport dates to 1350 when it was still referred to as Chniepoz.

renovation with historical reference

The extensive renovation, which is to be completed by summer 2025, is part of a larger initiative to preserve the fortress structure. Although the Kniepass fortress has experienced a wide range of changes over the years, remarkable parts, such as a building inscription from 1614, are still preserved today. In the war years 1742 to 1745, the fortress was also a military camp.

In addition to military use over the centuries, the fortress is also of cultural importance. In 1981 she passed the property of the state of Salzburg and was renovated with the support of the Museum Association Unken. Today the fortress shows a museum with exhibits from different epochs, and change exhibitions have been taking place there since 1994.

visitor attractions and art

The Kniepass Fortress not only houses archaeological exhibits, including primal and early history finds from the Saalach Valley, but also has a stage in the courtyard that is used for concerts and other performances. The exhibitions include artifacts from the Stone Age until Roman times and should offer visitors a unique insight into the history of the region.

This renovation is an important step to upgrade the fortress and its tourist attractiveness. The measure follows a trend of maintaining and restorative preservation of historical buildings in Austria, as the well -known case of the Hohensalzburg fortress shows, which is one of the main attractions of Salzburg due to its historical and cultural relevance. Overall, the renovation of the Kniepass fortress is considered a valuable investment in the preservation of the cultural heritage of the region.