Gamlitz Castle

Gamlitz Castle is a noble residence in the town of Gamlitz in the Leibnitz district in Southern Styria, Austria. It is considered the only noble residence in Gamlitz preserved since the 16th century.

Gamlitz Castle was built between 1111 and 1131 in the valley of the Gamlitzbach stream in the south of the West Styrian Hill Country. Through a donation from the Count of Sponheim, it came into the possession of St. Paul's Abbey in Lavanttal. In the 15th century, the castle was owned by a family Seidl or Sadl of Gamlitz, whose members were buried in the parish church between 1442 and 1446. After that, the owners changed several times. Among others, in the 16th century, the castle belonged to the Knight of Herzenskraft, and around 1630, to the iron merchant, city judge, and mayor of Graz, Georg Klingendrath. In the 19th century, the castle served as a cavalry barracks. Around 1900, the castle came into the possession of the Melcher family. Today, it houses a hotel, a restaurant, and a wine cellar. In 1990, the Styrian Provincial Exhibition "Wine Culture" took place in the castle, whose exhibits can now be viewed in the castle's wine museum.