Bertholdstein Castle

Bertholdstein was one of the largest hilltop castles built in the 12th century to secure the Raab Valley to the east. The builder was Berthold I von Emmerberg, a ministerialis of the Traungau counts. He erected a small clearing castle between 1170 and 1179.

After 1408, the Emmerberg family lost the property because they sided against Duke Ernst in the Walsee Feud. After several changes of ownership, the dominion came into the possession of the Lords of Lengheim in 1578. They carried out the extensive expansion into a castle in the 17th century. They had the arcaded walkway built and defensive walls with strong defensive towers erected for protection against the Turks.

Bertholdstein remained in their possession until 1800. Afterwards, it came to the Counts Trautmannsdorf and the Noe von Nordberg family. In 1871, Count Ladislaus Koszielski acquired the building, which was already threatened by decay. He had the castle thoroughly restored in a romantic-oriental style. He died in 1895 and was buried in the castle chapel. His heir sold the castle. Since 1918, it has belonged to the Benedictine convent of St. Gabriel and serves the sisters as a monastery and retreat house.