Riegersburg, Steiermark

Riegersburg Castle, Styria, district of Feldbach; in the 16^th century the castles of Liechteneck and Kronegg, which had been built on a 100-metre-high basalt rock massif in the 13^th century (documented mention after 1122), were rebuilt to become the most important Styrian frontier fortress with 11 bastions and six gates. Begun after 1571, the building process was continued in the 17^th century (by Elisabeth von Galler and Count J. E. Purgstall). The castle of Kronegg is arranged around two courtyards, one courtyard has a pergola and a wrought-iron fountain (1640). Sumptuous interiors; Rittersaal (knight´s hall, around 1600) with coffered ceiling; white room (1658) with stuccowork. Several richly decorated rooms dating from the 16^th and 17^th centuries; late Gothic chapel (15^th century) with frescoes. Since 1822 property of the Prince of Liechtenstein; severely damaged in 1945, renovated between 1950 and 1969.

Literature: H. Valentinitsch (ed.), Hexen und Zauberer, exhibition catalogue, Riegersburg 1987.