10 euro - The Castle of Artstetten

The castle of Artstetten stands high above the Danube River on the threshold to the region known as the Wachau. First recorded in the 13th century, the castle today presents an impressive sight from afar, with its corner towers and characteristic onion-domes. The coin’s obverse shows the castle, as seen clearly from a distance against a background of green woods and hills. Adjoining the square block of the castle is the church, which stands above the burial crypt of the Hohenberg family. The reverse shows the entrance to the crypt itself. Two cameo portraits to the left show Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his beloved wife, Sophie. The portraits are based on those which appear on their stone tombs in the crypt.