Pottschach Castle

Pottschach Castle is a Renaissance moated castle located in Pottschach, Lower Austria. The Pottschach parish church and the castle form a joint defensive complex. It is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Originally, a moated castle stood on the site of the present-day castle. In 1134, a Gunterus de Pottschach was first mentioned as a vassal of the Formbachers. Afterwards, the castle was owned by the ministeriales of the Otakars. In the 13th century, the dominion passed to the Lords of Kranichberg and in 1254 to the sovereign. In 1493, the castle was sold to the Hagens and then changed owners several times. In 1539, the dominion passed to the Lords of Ursenbeck. The castle was demolished under Bernhard Ursenbeck and a Renaissance moated castle was built. In 1687, it was sold to Baron von Pach, and in 1712, ownership passed to the Counts of Walsegg. Between 1830 and 1832, the Princes of Liechtenstein acquired the castle. Franziska von Liechtenstein had the moats filled in and the forecourt demolished. In 1891, the Figdor family acquired the castle and renovated it.