Haller Castle

Hallerschloss or Sparbersbach Castle (until the 18th century) is a castle located on the western slope of Ruckerlberg in the Graz district of Waltendorf. Its current form largely dates from the 17th century. It was extensively remodeled during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its history dates back to the 13th century.

The castle was probably built by a Count Breuner, incorporating an older structure, to secure the roads and property of the sovereign. From the second half of the 13th century, the ministerial family of the Rietenburger resided in the castle. On March 23, 1389, the castle and the village of Waltendorf were sold to Hertlein von Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein donated the estate to Rein Abbey on July 5, 1359, which exchanged it with Duke Wilhelm for other estates on October 25, 1399.

In the 15th century, the castle was owned by the Giebinger family. After many years of inheritance disputes, the property was sold in 1580 to Mathias Aman, who resold it to a servant of the Archduke. In the following years, ownership changed frequently. In 1652, the castle passed to Hans Georg von Kaltenhausen. At that time, the property included the castle, a manor farm, a few stables, manor rooms and barns, an ice pit, a vegetable and fruit garden, a vineyard with a press, two ponds, as well as several fields, forests, and meadows. Until 1713, the castle had many different owners. In 1713, Sigmund Müller acquired the property and handed it over to his son-in-law Dr. Friedrich Karl Haller, who gave the castle the name "Hallerschloss". In 1923, a renovation was carried out according to plans by Julius Kubik.

During the siege of Graz under Napoleon in 1809, Austria's commander Field Marshal Lieutenant Count Gyulai had his headquarters in the castle. In 1827, the composer Franz Schubert was a guest at Hallerschloss. In 1945, negotiations between the Red and British Armies regarding a change of occupation power took place in the castle's premises.