Metahof Castle

The Metahof-Schlössl is a small castle on the edge of Metahofpark in the fourth district of Graz, Lend.

The builders of the Metahof-Schlössl are unknown, but in the 16th century, it stood on a demesne of the Eggenberg family. From 1678, it was certainly in the possession of the Counts of Saurau. Maria Ludwig Count of Saurau, owner of Graz's Palmburg, commissioned a renovation from 1744, led by master builder Joseph Hueber. This involved the extension of the north wing and the addition of the west and south wings. Furthermore, an orangery, a glasshouse, a frescoed garden pavilion, and a dairy were added. Today, the Metahof-Schlössl is one of the best-preserved noble residences in the city of Graz.

After changing ownership, the small castle came into the possession of Count Kottulinsky in 1805, who bought all neighboring properties and had the largest private garden in Graz at the time laid out. New street layouts emerged through a parceling in the late 19th century. The Reininghaus family was registered as owners from 1889 to 1945. The Metahof-Schlössl served as a meeting point for figures of Graz's cultural life such as Peter Rosegger, Wilhelm Kienzel, and Karl Morré.

After heavy bombing raids around Graz's main train station, the park and the garden portal were destroyed. The small castle subsequently fell into disrepair until the garden pavilion and the connecting wing to the main house were demolished in 1963. Plans briefly circulated to also demolish the Metahof-Schlössl in favor of constructing a residential complex. It was not until 1979 that the City of Graz took over the Baroque castle. It was adapted as an office building and rented out to companies.