Niederkreuzstetten Castle

In 1115, a Ditderihe from Grizansteten is listed as a witness in a document. An Adalbero of Niederkreuzstetten is mentioned around 1130. In the 13th century, Niederkreuzstetten was a fief of the Liechtensteins. Around 1265, it came to the Styrian line through inheritance from their Nikolsburg branch. In 1367, a burgrave resided here on behalf of Ulrich II of Liechtenstein-Murau, who was entrusted with the administration of the dominion. In 1382, Hans the Oberndorfer of Kreuzstetten is reported.

In 1485, the castle was conquered and partially destroyed by Matthias Corvinus. Until 1491, Niederkreuzstetten was occupied by Hungarian troops. In 1510, it belonged to the Lords of Weisspriach. Thereafter, the owners changed several times. During the Reformation, the property belonged to the Prandt von Prandeck family. Christoph Welzer was also clearly Protestant, as his castle was occupied by Montecuccoli in 1620 and his dominion was confiscated in 1621. The following year, Hans Balthasar von Hoyos-Stixenstein acquired the property. Niederkreuzstetten must have been made defensible again afterwards, because in both 1663 and 1683 it was designated as a refuge in times of war for the surrounding civilian population. Between 1781 and 1803, Counts Johann Philipp and Johann Ernst Hoyos carried out major renovations. In 1881, the family sold the dominion to the Viennese banker Moriz von Königswarter.

Since 1914, the castle has belonged to the Barons Riedl von Riedenstein. It still serves as their residence. Only recently has the castle received a new owner, the Wenckheim family. Extensive renovations have been carried out.