Our History

The histories of the castle ruin on the right bank of the Danube extend back into the 12th century. The castle had many renowned owners such as the Kuenrings, Jörg Scheck von Wald or Anna von Polheim-Parz.

• 2003

  Revitalisation

  Comprehensive revitalisation work makes it possible to easily visit the castle today. The sewer system, water pipes, numerous breathtaking viewing bridges and the Knights' Hall were renovated in the process.
• 1930

  Completion of the protection measures

  Count Oswald von Seilern und Aspang acquired Aggstein Castle and started the first measures to preserve it.
• 1819

  Protection measures to preserve the ruin

  After the transfer of ownership to Count Franz von Beroldingen, first protection measures to preserve the ruin were carried out.
• 1606

  The castle in the hands of a woman

  In 1606, Anna von Polheim-Parz became the first female owner of the castle and carried out comprehensive renovations in the Renaissance style. The buildings in front of the castle also date from this time. She did not have any children and her heirs were not interested in paying for the costs to preserve the mighty structure.
• 1529

  Siege by the Turks

  In 1529, the castle was burned down by a group of Ottomans during the first siege of Vienna by the Turks. It was rebuilt once again and fitted with arrow slits for defence.
• 1429

  “Rosengärtlein” and robber knights

  In 1429, Jörg Scheck vom Wald was enfeoffed by Duke Albrecht V. (later Emperor Albrecht II.) with Aggstein Castle which was in ruins at the time and rebuilt it. Most of the parts that are still preserved, such as the remains of the three-storey “Frauenturm” (“Women's Tower”), the Palas and the Gothic castle chapel date back to this reconstruction. At this time, the well-known “Rosengärtlein” was set up. In the course of time, he was unable to resist the temptation and robbed commercial ships on the Danube. That is where he got his name “Schreckenwald” (“forest of terror”) which the population gave him due to his cruelty.
• 1348

  The last Kuenring

  The last Kuenring to own the castle was Leutold II., from 1348 until 1355. Thereafter, it increasingly fell into disrepair.
• 1256

  First mention in documents

  Indirectly, the castle was first mentioned in documents in association with Perchtold von Achstein, in 1256.
• 1181

  Under the ownership of the Kuenrings

  The latest insights make it possible to date the oldest remains of the walls of Aggstein castle ruin to the time around 1200. The Kuenrings – a powerful ministerial family that owned some properties and castles in the Wachau region in the 12th and 13th century – have often been associated with Aggstein.