Rappottenstein Castle

Rappottenstein Castle, locally known as Burg Rappottenstein, lies in the woods south of the village of the same name, in the province of Lower Austria in Austria.

Rappottenstein Castle was built between 1150 and 1176 by Rapoto von Kuenring. It was one of a string of castles he built in this area to protect the lands of his family as well as to protect the flank of the Margravate of Austria, ruled by the House of Babenberg, from invasions from Bohemia. The castle was in the middle of the Kuenring possessions and next to an ancient trade route.

At the end of the 13th century, the House of Kuenring was placed under an imperial ban for supporting Ottokar II of Bohemia in his fight against Rudolf I of Germany and, later, his son, Albert I of Germany. They lost their possessions, and Rappottenstein Castle went to the Lords of Dachsberg in 1305.

In 1423, it went to the House of Starhemberg and in 1546 to the Lords of Landau. In 1597, rebellious peasants unsuccessfully besieged the castle. Swedish troops besieged the castle for several months in 1645 during the Thirty Years' War, but were also unsuccessful.

In 1664, Rappottenstein was bought by the Counts of Abensberg-Traun, who still own the castle to this day. The castle has never been conquered and was therefore never destroyed, which is why it is in such good condition at present. Since 2011, the owners have launched an initiative with the Austrian Red Cross, making the castle a place for relaxation and reflection for children and their families who suffer from chronic illness or need grief counseling.

At present, Rappottenstein Castle can be visited with a guided tour for a small fee. This is really a great castle. Recommended!

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