Waxenberg Castle

The origins of Waxenberg Castle date back to the 17th century, when it was presumably built by the Lords of Gera below the older Waxenberg Castle. After the original castle became uninhabitable due to a lightning strike in 1756, the Starhemberg family, who had owned the estate since 1640, moved into the new castle and further expanded it. The castle chapel has served as the local parish church since 1784. Between 1908 and 1910, the castle underwent an expansion, with a new castle being built north of the existing structure. During the interwar period, Prince Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg used the castle as a base for the Heimwehr. In 1938, it was expropriated by the National Socialists but returned to the Starhemberg family after World War II. From 1948 to 1968, it was used by the Association of War Blind, before being renovated multiple times and made accessible for events.