Ruttenstein Castle

Ruttenstein Castle, locally known as Burgruine Ruttenstein, lies on a forested hill above the hamlet of Niederhofstetten, in the province of Upper Austria in Austria.

Ruttenstein Castle was first mentioned in 1160 as 'Castrum Rotenstein'. It was probably founded in the first half of the 12th century by the Counts of Clam-Velburg. During the 13th century it became a royal possession through inheritance. Rudolf I of Germany pledged Ruttenstein to Ulrich II von Kapellen in 1281. Ulrich's descendants owned it until 1406 after which it went to the Von Wallsee family.

During the 15th century the castle changed hands several times. During this time, the castle will have hardly or only briefly served as a manor. Instead, it was occupied and managed as a fortified border castle by stewards and caretakers.

Ruttenstein Castle fell into dilapidation during the 16th century and by the mid-17th century it was already a ruin. In the following centuries several owners followed until it fell to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1823. Their descendants still own the ruin.

The castle ruins were consolidated for the first time in the 1960s.

At present the ruins of Ruttenstein Castle can freely be visited. It will take just a short walk from the parking lot near a bothy. A very nice castle ruin.

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