The “Gallerin“
Elisabeth Katharina Baroness von Galler
The “Gallerin” (1607-1672) broke the social norms of the time in many respects. As a resolute builder with the nickname “Schlimme Liesl”, she is one of the most colourful personalities in the history of Styria. As a woman in the 17th century, she had a major role in the extension of the Riegersburg fortifications. The interior rooms of the castle museum focus on the “Gallerin” and her era.
The Gallerin
Elisabeth Katharina Freifrau von Galler (the “Gallerin“) was born as Elisabeth Katharina Wechsler in 1607 and died in 1672. She defied the social norms of her time in many ways and is remembered in the history of Riegersburg as “Bad Liesl“.
Elisabeth Katharina Freifrau von Galler was the daughter of the wealthy merchant family Wechsler from Bad Radkersburg. Following the death of her childless brother in 1648, she inherited Riegersburg castle and other properties. At that time, women had no say in legal, economic, or business matters, and their assets had to be managed by a man. However, the “Gallerin” secured the right to manage her own property in her marriage contract.
As Riegersburg castle was only about 25 km from the border with the Ottoman Empire, the enemy territory at that time, the “Gallerin” had it extended to become the mighty fortress that it still is today. She was not afraid of disputes and conducted numerous lawsuits to fulfil her “building lust”. This earned her the nickname ‘Bad Liesl’.
Her daughter Regina came from her first marriage to Hans Wilhelm Freiherr von Galler, President of the Court War Council. He died after 20 years of marriage. Count Johann Ernst von Purgstall, Regina’s husband, continued the expansion of the fortress that his mother-in-law had begun.
The Gallerin’s second husband, Detlef Freiherr von Kapell, was killed in the Battle of Mogersdorf in 1664.
At around the age of 60, she married for a third time. This marriage was with the 35 years younger Johann Rudolf Freiherr von Stadl, from whom she later got divorced.
Her life was marked by legal disputes, conflicts, and hostilities of all kinds. Her main concerns were the security of her castle, her subjects, and her land. Riegersburg castle became the “strongest fortress of Christendom” during her time.
Visitors can learn a lot about the life and times of the “Gallerin” in the castle’s museum.
