Ottensheim Castle

The origins of Ottensheim Castle date back to the 12th century, when it was built as a castle by the Wilhering family. As early as 1148, the brothers Ulrich and Cholo von Wilhering are mentioned as owners. From 1220 to 1527, the complex was in the possession of the territorial princes, with the Habsburgs temporarily pledging it to the Lords of Walsee (1331–1461) and the Lichtensteiners (1461–1492). A turning point occurred in 1524 when King Ferdinand I granted Ottensheim as a fief to Niklas Rabenhaupt von Suche. He acquired the castle as his free property in 1527 and had it converted into a palace. After a period in the possession of the Upper Austrian estates (1529–1621), the castle was pledged by Emperor Ferdinand II to the Bavarian Elector Maximilian, who later gifted it to the Jesuits. After the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773, Ottensheim fell to the imperial court chamber.