Hernstein Castle

The castle was built by Herrand von Falkenstein at the beginning of the 12th century. A document from Göttweig Abbey from 1125 mentions a "nobilis Reginoldus de Herrandistein".

In 1245, Count Chuno of Hernstein sold all his property to Freising Abbey. When Bishop Konrad appointed an administrator in Hernstein around 1265, Euphemia von Pottendorf, a niece of the now deceased Count Chuno, seized the castle. Despite the clear legal situation and diligent litigation by the Freisingers, the Pottendorfers kept it until 1380. At that time, Duke Albrecht III bought the dominion.

Subsequently, he had it administered by stewards or occasionally pledged it. Around 1515, Hernstein was united with Starhemberg. For the next 400 years, both castles had the same owners. While Starhemberg was expanded, Hernstein soon fell into disrepair and was described as a "desolate castle" after a short time. When the Erste Österreichische Sparkasse took over Schloss Hernstein in 1955, it also received the castle ruins as an addition. Since 1963, both properties have belonged to the Chamber of Commerce for Vienna.