History of the Riegersburg
“The Strongest Fortress in Christendom”
The famous designated Feldherr Feldmarschall Raimondo Graf von Montecuccoli the Styrian landmark far away in the Land projecting Riegersburg.
Numerous archaeological finds testify to a settlement of the castle hill already 6,000 years ago due to its special protective location.
The first documented mention of
...of Riegersburg dates back to the year 1128. It contains the name “Ruotkerspurch”, which can be traced back to the owner at the time, named Rüdiger.
Lower Veste Lichtenegg
In the Middle Ages, there was a second fortress on the castle grounds. The so-called "Niedere Veste Lichtenegg". Today there is a viewing platform there.
Kuenring-Dürnstein family
When the last of the Riegersburg-Wildonians died childless in 1249, the main castle came to the powerful Kuenring-Dürnstein family.
Ulrich of Walsee-Graz
In 1299, Ulrich von Walsee-Graz purchased Riegersburg. Until 1363, it was owned by the Styrian Walsee family, after which it was inherited by the Upper Austrian Walsee-Enns line. During the so-called “Walsee Feud” in 1412, Duke Ernest the Iron managed to capture the “Lower Fortress”, and the main castle, “Kronegg”, capitulated. Just five years later, however, the Walsee family regained possession of the castles. This experience may have prompted them to build the “Eselsteig” as a secondary access route.
Reinprecht of Reichenburg
After an uncertain period with plagues, famines and warlike invasions by Ottomans and Magyars, the fortress came into the possession of Reinprecht von Reichenburg in 1479.
Erasmus Freiherr von Stadl / Georg Christoph von Ursenbeck
Through marriage, Riegersburg passed from the Reichenburg family to Erasmus, Baron von Stadl, in 1571. He began expanding the upper castle. At the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, in 1618, he sold the castle to Georg Christoph von Ursenbeck. This family is responsible for the inscription on the windowpane in the Knights’ Hall.
Baron Seyfried of Wechsler
During the thirty years ' war, of Styria, of the direct war remained actions spared, one felt the impact of the counter-reformation. In 1637, the rich man was under their control Freiherr Seyfried from Changer owner of the Riegersburg. Because of this childless died in the Riegersburg came to his sister, the order in 1607, born Baroness Elisabeth Katharina Changer.
"The Gallerin"
Freifrau Elisabeth Katharina Wechsler married Hans Wilhelm Freiherr von Galler. This marriage produced her only child - her daughter Regina. The resolute lady of the castle, subsequently referred to as "Galler", went down in the history of Styria as an extremely distinctive and energetic personality. She was popularly known as "Liesl the Bad" because she did not shy away from any confrontation and conducted numerous lawsuits. She did not leave the command and management of the Riegersburg dominion to her husband, as was proper, but lived out her "love of building" and essentially gave the extensive fortress its present form. After the death of her first husband, she married Colonel Freiherr von Kapell, who fell victim to the war four years after their marriage. She divorced her third husband, Baron Hans Rudolf von Stadl, who was about 35 years younger!
Johann Ernst Graf of Purgstall
After the death of the Gallerin, in 1672 the ownership of Riegersburg castle and manor passed to her daughter Regina and her son-in-law Johann Ernst Count of Purgstall. The latter completed the construction work begun by the Gallerin.
Prince Johann of Liechtenstein
After the extinction of the Riegersburg Counts of Purgstall in 1817, Riegersburg Castle passed to a community of 17 heirs. In 1822 it was bought by Prince Johann von und zu Liechtenstein in a public auction. The Riegersburg remained in the possession of the princely Liechtenstein family, which saved it from imminent ruin after the destruction of 1945.
Family Of Liechtenstein
In January 1972, Prince Friedrich and Princess Annemarie became the first owners to move into their new home in Riegersburg and began to run the hotel for tourists.
Dr. Prince Emanuel of Liechtenstein
Since 2009, Dr. Prince Emanuel von und zu Liechtenstein and his family have been working to preserve the castle.