Top 12 Castles around Markt Piesting

The name Starhemberg is derived from the original name 'starker Berg' or 'Starkenberg'. The castle is not to be confused with castles of the same name in Upper Austria, Schloss Starhemberg (Haag am Hausruck), the namesake seat of the Starhemberg princely house, and its current seat Schloss Starhemberg (Eferding). The castle ruin discussed here had no connection with the well-known family of apostles.

In the year 1182, in a deed by Margrave Otakar IV of Styria (also Ottokar), a certain "Chalhoch de Stratensteine" is attested, confirming the freedoms of Seckau Abbey, dedicated by his father. Two years later, his son "Ortolf" also appears in documents. Both names are characteristic of the Lords of Schrattenstein.

The Schrattenstein is a wooded mountain near Würflach, crowned by the romantic Schrattenstein ruins. From the summit and around the ruins, there are always magnificent views of the surrounding area and the Hohe Wand mountain. The castle ruins are freely accessible and lend the place a special, historic atmosphere. A worthwhile destination for a leisurely hike – especially beautiful in combination with the Johannesbach Gorge or the Andreassteig Trail.

The Schrattenstein Castle ruins sit perched on a rocky outcrop above the valley and offer magnificent views over the surrounding hills as far as the Hohe Wand mountain. The remains of the former hilltop castle are now freely accessible and invite exploration – with ancient walls, weathered stones, and a special, almost mystical atmosphere. A worthwhile detour for hikers who appreciate history and views in equal measure. It's particularly beautiful at sunset or as the destination for a circular hike through the Johannesbach Gorge or from the Andreassteig Trail.

The Emmerberg Castle ruins are located on a ridge near the Prosset Gorge and are among the historic fortresses of Lower Austria. First mentioned around 1170, they served as an important defensive point on what was then the northern border of the Carantanian March. Although they were never militarily tested, they were inhabited until 1760 before they began to decay – triggered by the sale of the roof structure. Although the ruins are now inaccessible for safety reasons, their imposing remains and picturesque location make them a fascinating sight.

07/18/2024 — Clear view of the walls of the Starhemberg castle ruins. The clearing of the area in Markt Piesting brought many new discoveries. However, there is currently still a ban on entry. The renovation of the Starhemberg castle ruins is scheduled to start next year. The preparatory work for this is underway...... Source: www.noen.at/wr-neustadt/piestingtal-freier-blick-auf-die-mauern-der-burgruine-starhemberg-431389601

The Starhemberg castle ruins, once a significant site north of Dreistetten, have an eventful history. Originally a Styrian fortress, it fell to the Babenbergs in 1192 and was expanded into a palace under Frederick the Quarrelsome. After his death, the Teutonic Order administered it for a short time before it passed into Habsburg ownership in 1278. In 1482, the castle was captured by King Matthias Corvinus. From 1590, it belonged to the Counts of Heussenstein for over 200 years and survived the Turkish onslaught in 1683. Around 1800, it was covered over to avoid taxes and has remained in ruins ever since. Today, it is owned by the Salvator Habsburg-Lothringen family. Officially, access is prohibited, but the imposing walls and the view make it a popular destination for hikers.

Archduke Leopold Ludwig inherited the property in 1854. Hernstein Castle owes its current appearance to him. He spent 28 years rebuilding and expanding the castle according to plans by Theophil Hansen, who is also the architect of the Parliament in Vienna. Since 2023, the Hotel Schloss Hernstein has been run as a public hotel and is a popular wedding location. More on the history: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Hernstein