Gutenstein Castle

Duke Leopold VI of the Babenbergs commissioned the construction of Gutenstein Castle between 1195 and 1220. It was first documented in 1220. After the death of Frederick II, the Teutonic Order administered the complex but was forced to hand it over to Margaret, Frederick's sister, in 1248 by papal decree. She, in turn, passed the castle to her husband Ottokar II Přemysl. From 1276, Gutenstein was in Habsburg possession and became the residence of Duke Frederick III the Fair. He died at the castle in 1330. The 15th century saw inheritance disputes and sieges, including one by the mercenary leader Postumus, who captured the castle in 1457 and imprisoned the later King Matthias Corvinus there.