Ehrenfels Castle

History is silent about the origin of the two castles Kammerstein and Ehrenfels. They were formerly known as Unter- and Oberkammern. They were probably built by the noble family of the Freien von Chamern. A nobleman Arnold von Chamern already appears around 1120. However, some historians believe that they belong to the very old castles that originated under the Carolingians or were built for protection during the Hungarian threat.

The fate of the castle is intimately linked with the Ehrenfels family. They descended from the Dietmare family in Graz. Otto Ernvelser bore the surname "de Chamer" in 1265 and Otto IV von Ehrenfels. The Ehrenfels were vassals of the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg. In 1290, the Ehrenfels had joined the noble uprising against Duke Albrecht of Habsburg and Abbot Heinrich II of Admont. In 1291, they opened their two castles to the Duke's enemies. In 1292, they also participated in the conspiracy at Deutschlandsberg. After the suppression of the uprising, King Albrecht I returned the castles to them. From the middle of the 14th century, the Ehrenfels had the castle administered by burgraves.

The family died out with Hans von Ehrenfels in 1422. Afterwards, the Kraig family inherited the lordship. They also entrusted caretakers with the castle guard. In 1439, the castle is still referred to as "Veste Ernvels". From Wolfgang von Kraig, the lordship passed by purchase in 1460 to Hans Süßenheimer, who resold it in 1464 to Emperor Friedrich III. At that time, Liennhart Mühlbacher was in charge of the castle administration. In the urbarium of the Kammerstein lordship in 1499 and 1534, there is once again talk of the lower and upper castle. Then the castle fell into disrepair. Today, the ruin is owned by the Mayr-Melnhof family.