Castles in the Air

In southern Austria, just east of a very good friend in the high village of Himmelberg and about 17 kilometers NNE of Klagenfurt, on a Dolomite rock sits Hochosterwitz Castle, or Burg Hochosterwitz, a medieval fortification dating from the 9th century that served over centuries as a defensive high ground for the local population and its successive lords.
Increasingly fortified, by the 16th century its only approach wound uphill through 14 fortified gates of varying defensive design. Never conquered, reportedly the besieged defenders of one long conflict tossed their last cow onto the attackers in a show of unlimited stores. The demoralized attackers decamped, convinced by the extravagant ruse.
Our friend has provided several occasions to return here with family and friends, last in 2004. Visitors get to the large courtyard either by a dizzying ride up a modern elevator on a pole, or walking up the inclined rocky path through the 14 gates, each offering higher and higher views of the surrounding meadows and mountains.
When on a fine summer's day one arrives at the top, one is grateful to find plentiful local beer served at shaded tables in mugs by smiling derndled maids before taking a tour of the historic armory, and before contemplating the walk back down from this castle aerie.