Unterthal Castle

The origins of Unterthal Castle presumably date back to the 13th century, when it was built by the Lords of Thal. As early as 1292, it suffered destruction during a noble uprising against Duke Albrecht I. In the 14th century, the damaged complex came into the possession of the Windisch-Graetz family, who initiated its reconstruction. By 1322 at the latest, the castle had a chapel that served as a parish church until the 18th century, before being demolished in 1772. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was expanded into a residential castle. After several changes of ownership, including Georg von Khevenhüller and Archduke Karl III, the castle was adapted in the 17th century with bastions and gun chambers to the advancing weapon technology. In 1623, it fell to Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg, who incorporated it into the Eggenberg dominion.