Sonnberg Castle

The origins of Sonnberg date back to 1177, when a castle named Sunnenberg was first documented. This original complex was located slightly above the current castle. The family who named themselves after this seat has been traceable in the region since 1066. In 1231, the castle was destroyed during conflicts between Duke Friedrich II and the Kuenringers, as the Sonnbergers supported the Kuenringers. After the fighting, the Sonnbergers built a moated castle on the Göllersbach and established a landed estate. In the 14th century, they faced economic hardship, and the lordship changed hands several times. In 1596, Wolf Georg Freiherr von Gilleis began converting the moated castle into a four-winged late Renaissance castle, which shaped its current appearance. During the Thirty Years' War, Sonnberg was conquered and suffered an economic collapse. In 1663, Gundaker Graf Dietrichstein acquired the property. The Dietrichsteins used Sonnberg as an administrative seat for their estates.