Matzen Castle

The medieval castle was probably built in the 12th century, at the time of the first documented mention of the town of Matzen (1194). The Lords of Matzen likely died out in the 14th century. The castle became princely property.

Around 1432, Duke Albrecht V enfeoffed the Brothers of Aichenstauden with the lordship inherited from their father. They were followed by the Hauser of Karlstein. In 1551, Knight Leopold Hauser sold the already allodial Matzen to Wilhelm Freiherr von Herberstein. The Herberstein family owned Matzen until 1629 and undertook major new constructions during this time, transforming the Gothic castle into a habitable Renaissance palace. Then Hans Christoph Freiherr von Fünfkirchen bought the property.

Maria Theresia von Fünfkirchen brought Matzen into her marriage with Franz Ferdinand Graf Kinsky in 1706. The castle received its current appearance in 1827 through Christian Josef Graf Kinsky. In 1907, the Kinsky family left the castle and rented it to Strakosch from Hohenau. The last owner from the House of Kinsky was Count Paul. He sold Matzen in 1931 to the Löw family. At the end of World War II, the castle was plundered and fell into disrepair. The Russian occupation forces only withdrew in 1955.

It was only when Ing. Alfons Belak bought Matzen in 1963 and began renovations that better times returned. For several years, the building housed an outpost of the Museum of Ethnology and a restaurant. Today, the building serves exclusively as a residence for the current owner.

Image source: www.wehrbauten.at