Ruttenstein Castle

The first documented mention of a “Castrum Rotenstein” dates back to February 14, 1160. As “Rotensteine,” the complex was again mentioned on January 31, 1209, in a document by Duke Leopold VI for Baumgartenberg Abbey. In May 1281, King Rudolf of Habsburg pledged the castle to Ulrich II von Kapellen. After the Kapeller family died out in 1418, Ruttenstein was granted as a fief to Reinprecht II von Walsee. From 1483, the castle was in the possession of the Liechtensteiner family, followed by the Meggauer family from 1556. In 1615, the Meggauers acquired the castle as their own property, before it passed to the Dietrichsteiner family through inheritance in the 17th century.