Lichtenegg Castle

Around 1290, the site of the castle was probably just a farmhouse or the modest seat of a minor noble. In 1346, Hans Liechtenecker is mentioned as the owner. His grandson, also named Hans, received permission from the Styrian Dukes Wilhelm and Albrecht in 1395 to expand and fortify his court in Stein.

With Hans and his brother Ulrich, the family died out in 1425. The dominion passed to Albrecht the Aflenzer. He was followed by Ulrich Reisacher. His sons were enfeoffed with Lichtenegg by King Frederick III in 1443. Inheritance disputes between family members led to the sale of the dominion to the Stadler family in the first quarter of the 16th century.

After that, the industrialist Sebald Pögl acquired the castle and invested considerable funds in improving its defensive capabilities. After 1600, Lichtenegg came into the possession of Leopold Freiherr von Herberstein. Leopold Christof Freiherr von Herberstein had to leave Styria in 1629 for religious reasons. Before doing so, he sold Lichtenegg to Anna Catherina Eggsin. The daughter of the new owner, Anna Catharina Freiin von Prankh, sold the castle in 1677 to Freiherr Johann Ferdinand Zehentner von Zehentgrub. His widow sold it in 1692 to Johann Rudolf Freiherr von Stadl. When Maria Regina von Stubenberg bought Lichtenegg, it was already only inhabited by administrators.

High debts in the 18th century first led to its sale to Carl Josef Anton von Crollolanza and then in 1757 to Anton Graf Inzaghi. He then moved the administration of the dominion to Oberkindberg, so Lichtenegg remained uninhabited and was soon left to decay. In 1855, the ruin was further destroyed by a severe earthquake. In 1857, Lichtenegg came to the Counts Attems. Since 1932 and increasingly since 1958, a local castle association has been dedicated to the preservation of the buildings. It is now also the owner of the complex.