Aggstein Castle

Aggstein Castle was likely built in the early 12th century by Manegold III. von Acchispach and came into the possession of the Kuenringers in 1181. During a Kuenringer uprising against Duke Friedrich II., it was besieged and captured in 1230/31. In the period following Friedrich II., the castle changed hands multiple times and was again besieged and conquered in 1295/96. After 1355, the complex increasingly fell into disrepair. In 1429, Duke Albrecht V. enfeoffed Jörg Scheck von Wald with the castle, obliging him to rebuild it to secure Danube shipping. Scheck von Wald acquired toll rights in 1438 but became a robber baron. In 1463, the castle was besieged and taken by Georg von Stain, as the Duke owed him money. Further changes of ownership followed until Duke Leopold III.