Grimmenstein Castle

The name Grimmenstein actually stands for three medieval castles. However, only remnants of the square keep of Hochgrimmenstein, located at the summit of the Kulmriegel, have survived. The fortified structure Hintergrimmenstein, situated on the nearby Kleinberg, is also almost completely destroyed. Only Vordergrimmenstein, located on the southeastern slope of the Kulmriegel, remains. According to archaeological findings, it was built in the first half of the 13th century. Hochgrimmenstein is several decades older. The first Grimmensteiner, Alber de Grimmenstain, is mentioned around 1144/58 among the followers of Count Eckbert III of Formbach-Pitten.

The family likely died out in 1309, as Hademar von Falkenberg was enfeoffed with the castle at that time. Under Duke Albrecht III, Grimmenstein became princely property. It was administered by burgraves or pledged in the 14th and 15th centuries. Emperor Frederick III first handed over the lordship in 1444 to the establishment of secular canons he founded in Wiener Neustadt, but had previously had Vordergrimmenstein razed. After 1470, Frederick III transferred the lordship to the Order of St. George. The Grand Master of the Order, Johann Geumann, handed over the partially restored castle to the Diocese of Wiener Neustadt in 1522. Ten years later, Grimmenstein again became princely property. In 1547, Christoph Urschenbeck was entrusted with the care of Grimmenstein Castle. His son, Georg Bernhard Freiherr von Urschenbeck, was able to take over the lordships as free property.

In 1693, Kasimir Freiherr von Petrowitsch acquired the property. In 1720, his heirs sold it to the Counts Stella-Caracciolo, to whom Grimmenstein belonged until 1848. Vordergrimmenstein remained a ruin until 1961. Then, the Neunkirchen master builder Johann Rigler acquired it and converted the rather sparse remains into a three-story castle-like residence. After another brief period of decay, Vordergrimmenstein has passed into new hands and is now only used privately.