Top 20 Castles around Rastenfeld

From the 15th century onwards, Lichtenfels changed hands frequently until the castle came to Rastenberg in 1628. As the new owners moved their seat of power to Rastenberg, the slow decay of Lichtenfels began in 1774. In 1790, the Freiherrn von Bartenstein, who owned Rastenberg and Lichtenfels, sold the majority of the castle's roof to Stift Zwettl. The reason for this was the roof tax introduced by Emperor Joseph II, which was calculated based on the size of the roof areas. Numerous noble families throughout the country had their cold and uninhabitable castles de-roofed at that time to save taxes. In 1804, the last inhabitant left Lichtenfels castle, which has been owned by the Thurn-Valsassina family together with Rastenberg since 1872. The Romanesque chapel, formerly dedicated to the Apostle Paul, was a destination for small pilgrimages for a long time; the last one took place in 1960 from Friedersbach. Lichtenfels castle ruins can be visited all year round (at your own risk).

On a peninsula in the Ottenstein reservoir, the Lichtenfels castle ruins rise picturesquely. Before the creation of the reservoir (1954-1957) and the construction of the federal road B38 with the bridge completed in 1957, the Lichtenfels castle, first mentioned in 1248, stood lonely on a rocky ridge high above the Kamp river. In the 13th century, an important ministerial family resided here, initially bearing the nickname „Tursen“, deriving from Rauheneck castle near Baden, and towards the end of this century took the name „Lichtenfels“. Under their rule were numerous surrounding places, such as Friedersbach, for example. During the Hussite invasions of 1427/28, Lichtenfels served as a storage place for the archives and treasures of the Zwettl Abbey.

No Merlot here — the shelf stands empty, quiet, waiting for a bottle that never comes. Kein Merlot hier — das Regal bleibt leer, still, wartend auf eine Flasche, die nie kommt. Pas de Merlot ici — l'étagère reste vide, silencieuse, attendant une bouteille qui n'arrive jamais. No hay Merlot aquí — el estante queda vacío, silencioso, esperando una botella que nunca llega.

Schloss Waldreichs was first documented in 1258. Around 1400, Kaspar and Bernhard von Waldreichs are mentioned as feudal lords. After its destruction by an executionary army of the estates in 1446–1448, it was rebuilt as a fortress around 1450 under Hans Harrasser. The present-day ruin in the east wing, the chapel, and the eastern tower date from this period. In 1460, it was enfeoffed to Vinzenz Stodoligk. From 1519–1536, it was united with the Lordship of Ottenstein. Between 1530–1534, it was converted into a moated castle under Eustach Stodoligk. From 1533, it was a free property. In 1536, the complex passed to the Barons of Altena, who expanded it with a zwinger and a manor farm. After its conquest and plundering by imperial troops, the complex was rebuilt again and subsequently changed owners frequently. When it passed to Heinrich von Pereira-Arnstein in 1815, it was united with the Lordship of Wetzlas.

Schloss Waldreichs was first mentioned in documents in 1258. Around 1400, Kaspar and Bernhard von Waldreichs are mentioned as feudal lords. After its destruction by an execution army of the estates in 1446–1448, it was rebuilt around 1450 under Hans Harrasser as a fortress. The present ruin in the east wing, the chapel, and the eastern tower date from this period. In 1460, it was enfeoffed to Vinzenz Stodoligk. From 1519–1536, it was united with the Herrschaft Ottenstein. From 1530–1534, it was converted into a water castle under Eustach Stodoligk. From 1533, it was a free property. In 1536, the complex passed to the Barons von Altena, who expanded it with a zwinger and a manor farm. After its conquest and plundering by imperial troops, the complex was rebuilt again and subsequently changed owners frequently. When it passed to Heinrich von Pereira-Arnstein in 1815, it was united with the Herrschaft Wetzlas.

our tour to the castle - https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2048966452

The castle is idyllically situated on the cycle paths and is perfectly embedded in the landscape.

Like so many others, this beautiful moated castle is privately owned and therefore not open to the public. But very well preserved because it is managed. I was lucky that the lord of the castle personally allowed me a short tour. Story: From 1114 a ministerial family of the Kuenringers is mentioned here several times. The castle-like predecessor building, first mentioned in the Zwettler Chronicle in 1172, was owned by the Kuenringers in the 13th century and passed to the Lichteneggers around 1300 and in 1337 to the Lords of Neidegg, who owned a large part of today's community in the 15th and 16th centuries . The castle received its current appearance under Johann Hartmann von Trautmannsdorf, who came into his possession through marriage in 1581 and had it rebuilt in the Renaissance style: In the north-east corner, the local incorporation is marked 1584. Around 1670, Field Sergeant and Court Warden Ferdinand Ernst Graf Herberstein acquired the lordships of Lichtenau, Allentsgschwendt and Brunn, making Brunn the administrative center of Herberstein's possessions in Lower Austria. In 1792 Johann Graf Stiebar acquired these dominions and in 1803 Anton Edler von Meidl followed as owner. In 1812, k., who had become rich through marriage, took over. k. Lieutenant Josef Michael von Ehrenfels took over the property and undertook an extensive renovation of the castle, whereby the interior was partly furnished in the neo-baroque style. During the Second World War, Lieutenant Commander Hermann Ehrhardt acquired the castle and lived here until 1971. Today it is privately owned.