Burg Krems

About

The name Krems does not originate from the Slavic language like other place names from the immediate vicinity, but is probably of older origin. According to local historian Walter Kienreich, the name could derive from the Indo-Germanic (s)krem, the Illyrian Kremisia or the Celtic Chremisa. All these words mean something like sharp, cutting, sharp stone or rocky cliff. This could refer to the ridge on which the castle is situated and which forces the Kainach into a narrow valley.

The castle ruins stand on high settlement land, a ridge south of Thallein that advances towards the Kainach. The ridge slopes steeply to the east, south and west and has been separated from the hinterland by a deep cut since the extension of the Kainach valley road. The steep slopes were partly artificially embanked and the terrain surrounding the ruin was prepared for defence in sections by artificial interventions. However, these artificial interventions in the terrain have been partly destroyed by a recently constructed circuitous path. To the north, a sectional ditch separates the castle area from the hinterland. This ditch is spanned by a modern bridge, the remains of which have been…