Rosenbach Castle

A castle is first mentioned in a document in 1630. At that time, Baroness Anna Maria von Saurau took over the "Gschloß" as a pledge from Mrs. Ursula Khuflerin. The latter came from the Pain family, who had been wealthy in Obdach since the 14th century. The Baroness bequeathed the castle to her daughter Barbara Rosine Countess Mersperg, who, however, left it to her brother Christof Alban Count Saurau. When he was convicted of several serious crimes and had to begin his imprisonment at Graz Castle Hill, Rosenbach Castle was also confiscated from him. In 1656, Gregor Freiherr von Sidenitsch acquired the estate. In 1663, a Burgfried was established for Rosenbach, within which the respective lord of the castle was allowed to exercise lower jurisdiction. However, this Burgfried jurisdiction hardly extended beyond the castle grounds. The feudal right probably lay with the Pürkher von Weißenthurn family, because in 1692 Gregor Ignaz Freiherr von Sidenitsch was enfeoffed with the castle by Heinrich Freiherr von Pürkher. In 1741, Johann Andreas Edler von Heiss bought the castle. His widow sold the already heavily indebted property in 1769 to Maria Christine Freiin von Prandau. Johann I Prince of and to Liechtenstein also bought Rosenbach Castle in 1780. Around 1880, extensive structural changes took place. In the 20th century, Rosenbach was sold to private individuals. Today it belongs to the Leitner family.

The castle is located in the northwest of the town of Obdach on the main road. It is a simple square building from the 17th century. Its current form, however, dates from the late 19th century. Its medieval appearance can only be seen on a panel painting in the hospital church. The two-story building was once flanked at its corners by towers. However, these are no longer present. It was probably surrounded by walls and a moat until the second half of the 19th century. The moat was filled in during the renovation around 1880 and transformed into a garden. The edges of the otherwise very simple building are provided with corner quoins. A continuous cornice separates the two floors. The rather unsuitable modern windows have largely retained their old stone frames. A simple round-arched portal leads into the narrow inner courtyard.