Rabenstein Castle

Rabenstein Castle is located in the municipality of Frohnleiten in the Styrian district of Graz-Umgebung.

The castle was originally called Rammenstein and was named after Hartnid Schenk von Rammenstein, who resided there from 1240 to 1276. The old castle, which burned down in the 15th century, was not rebuilt. The castle, which still stands today, was built in the 14th century and was owned by the territorial sovereign. As the castle is located on a rock above the Mur river, the Mur valley could be closed off and secured if necessary. After various enfeoffments, the Roman-German King Maximilian I granted Rabenstein Castle to the Harrach family in 1497. At this time, the castle was a ruin. It was rebuilt and sold by Lienhard von Harrach to Philipp von Breuner in 1543. The complex was subsequently expanded.

After several sales, Rabenstein Castle came into the possession of the Waldsteiners. Under the Trautmannsdorf family, a generous Baroque renovation took place, which is mistakenly attributed to the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. After the castle was close to decay in the first half of the 19th century, it was extensively restored by Ludwig von Montoyer. In 1887, Rabenstein came into the possession of the Reininghaus family. After the Second World War, a guesthouse was built in the castle. Further owners followed in 1981 with the Liechtenstein family, who, however, sold it after only a few years to the Styrian Electricity Company (STEG). Since 1987, a Mur power plant, operated by STEG, has been located below the castle. The complex was primarily used for cultural events such as exhibitions, theater, and concert performances.

In 2005, it was sold to the Graz entrepreneur Werner Hochegger, who carried out extensive renovation work and built a modern extension until 2009.