Höch Castle

Schloss Höch was built as a manor in the 11th century in Höch (municipality of Flachau). Today it presents itself in the Renaissance style. The castle is located not far from Altenmarkt im Pongau at the entrance of the Flachau valley, at an altitude of about 975 m above sea level at the foot of the Blümeck (1695 m above sea level), a secondary peak of the Hochgründeck massif. It is situated remotely 1½ km southeast of Reitdorf, but still belongs to the cadastral community of Höch.

Since the 13th century, the owners of Schloss Höch have been known. However, it is unclear whether the documented manor Hohenvelde is identical.

In 1608, the castle was sold by the then owner Kölderer to his grandnephew Jocher. Jocher, whose first name was Karl, was at that time one of the richest mine owners in Lungau, and was apparently also involved in the Flachau ironworks. He gave the castle its current horseshoe shape and richly furnished it. When his granddaughter married, the property came into the possession of the Counts of Plaz.

Alois Rohrmoser, ski manufacturer in Altenmarkt, bought Schloss Höch in 1989, and since 1999 – after his bankruptcy – it has been owned by the municipality of Flachau. The purchase price, including the approximately 44.3 ha property, amounted to 28.75 million Schilling (approx. 2 million €). Since 2002, it has been used for cultural purposes.