Overview of the Castle’s History

1138: First documented mention of the castle. Ruotker (Rüdiger) von Hohenberg is said to have begun the construction of the castle.

1142: Hartnid of Traisen/Ort appears as the first documented lord of the castle. He passed on the castle to his son-in-law Richer of Eferdingen/Hengist, whose three sons initially took the name “Riegersburg”, and 1174 onwards, “Wildon”.

1249: Albero of Kuenring-Dürnstein acquired the castle through his marriage to Gertrud, the daughter of Leutold I of Wildon.

1299: The castle was sold to Ulrich of Walsee-Graz.

1363: Following the extinction of the Styrian line of the Walsees, the castle was transferred to the Upper Austrian branch of the Walsees in Enns.

1479: Reinprecht of Reichenburg purchased Riegersburg castle.

1571: The castle was passed on through marriage to Erasmus of Stadl.

1618: The castle was sold to Baron Georg Christoph of Urschenpeckh.

1637: Riegersburg castle was purchased by Seyfried of Wechsler. He died in the same year and passed on the castle to his uncle and his sister Elisabeth Katharina.

1648: After the uncle’s death, Elisabeth Katharina Freifrau von Galler, known as the “Gallerin“, became the sole owner. She was one of the most colourful figures of her time. Much about her life and era can be learned at the castle museum.

1672: The “Gallerin” died. As her daughter also died around this time, her son-in-law, Johann Ernst of Purgstall, inherited Riegersburg.

1822: “Prince Johann Josef I. von und zu Liechtenstein” acquired Riegersburg at auction. After this acquisition, it remained in family ownership to this day. The castle is now maintained privately.