Richard the Lionheart’s Captivity: A Glimpse into History in Dürnstein
Along the banks of the Danube river lies the picturesque town of Durnstein, Austria. Located about an hour drive northwest of Vienna, or a few hours on the boat, the town has a very interesting tale attached to it’s extensive history. The story of Richard the Lionheart’s captivity, and his legendary jail cell in the castle on the hill, are a unique part of this charming region.
Durnstein was the first stop on our our mom’s 80th birthday Danube river cruise, and it was the perfect setting to get us ready for the multitude of amazingly adorable and charming towns that we would be visiting throughout the trip.
A medieval town located in the heart of Austria’s Wachau Valley, Durnstein boasts cobblestone streets, vineyards stretching up the slopes, and a really cool castle laying in ruins, perched on a hilltop overlooking the town. It is within the walls of the Durnstein Castle that the saga of Richard the Lionheart’s imprisonment unfolds.
Capturing a King
The Durnstein Castle, or at least what is left of it, sits on a hill that towers over the quaint town. The name Durnstein comes from the meaning dry castle, referring to its location on the hill. We made the trek up the steep trail, and within 30 minutes, we were climbing through the ruins of a legendary site.
As the legend goes, in the late 12th century at the end of the Third Crusade, the King of England, Richard the Lionheart, upon his return from Jerusalem, encountered heavy storms and decided to complete the trek home on foot. Disguised, he attempted to cross through the territory of Leopold V, Duke of Austria, a former ally turned bitter enemy. He was captured near Vienna and subsequently imprisoned in the fortress at Durnstein.
The Legendary Jail Cell and a Negotiated Release
His capture was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. Eventually, the Duke of Austria demanded an exorbitant ransom for the release of the English king, sparking a series of diplomatic negotiations that lasted for over a year.
In the end, a substantial ransom of 150,000 marks was paid, equivalent to an immense fortune in medieval times. With the aid of this hefty sum, Richard the Lionheart regained his freedom on February 4, 1194, after nearly two years in captivity. He returned to England and continued to reign until his death in 1199.
Tourist Haven
With an official population of 864 people, residents of Durnstein will see the town swell is size on a busy weekend, as cruise ships pull in to see the perfectly manicured town. Gift shops line the main corridors selling your typical tourist merch, while bakeries send their delicious fragrances out of their front doors, luring the crowds in. We stopped at Bäckerei Schmidl, which is owned by Barbara Schmidl. The bakery has been owned by her family since 1780! We purchased too many delicious pastries, many of which I had no idea how to pronounce, and we ate them all.
Totally worth it.