Engelsberg Castle

Engelsberg Castle was probably built around 1225. Bishop Konrad III of Regensburg likely handed over the castle, built during his tenure for his family, who owned property in Oberpinzgau, to the diocese. It probably consisted only of a tower surrounded by a defensive wall. It was first mentioned in a document in 1234, when Count Konrad of Wasserburg was enfeoffed with Engelsberg by Bishop Sigfried. In 1247, the diocese dissolved the feudal relationship and took over the castle again under its own administration. Its ministeriales, who resided here, came from the local minor nobility and called themselves "von Engelsberg".

The walls still existing today date from around 1300, when the bishops of Regensburg and Salzburg were feuding with the Pinzgau family Felbern. The castle was probably destroyed at that time but soon rebuilt. Around 1380, the entire Brixental and thus also Engelsberg came into the possession of the Archdiocese of Salzburg through the purchase by Archbishop Pilgrim II. Engelsberg became the seat of a Salzburg provost. Further severe damage occurred when, during the Peasants' War of 1526, rebellious peasants under their leader Matthias Stöckl captured and burned down Engelsberg. The archdiocese only partially renovated the castle.

The castle remained inhabited until the 17th century. When the provostry was merged with the Itter district court in 1608, the provost moved first to Itter and then to Hopfgarten. This also marked the beginning of the castle's decay. By 1696, the castle ruin was already serving as a quarry for the surrounding farmers, who practically made the ruin disappear from the face of the earth. Archaeological excavations only took place between 2004 and 2008. Afterwards, the uncovered wall sections were conserved. The current owner of the ruin is Josef Manzl, also known as Unterrainbauer.