Staatz Castle

Staatz Castle, locally known as Burg Staatz, lies on a mountain in the village of the same name, in the province of Lower Austria in Austria.

In 1130 a nobleman who called himself Reginger von Staatz was first mentioned. Probably the castle was built before then because the mountain with its commanding views over the surrounding countryside was an outstanding strategic location. The Lords of Staatz probably died out in the 1st half of the 13th century. They were vassals of the Babenberger Dukes of Austria.

In 1246 a battle was fought on the plain below the castle between the armies of Frederick II, Duke of Austria, and Ulrich III, Duke of Carinthia. Ulrich lost and was subsequently held captive in Staatz Castle. In the 2nd part of the 13th century the castle was entrusted to Otto von Maissau, by Ottokar II of Bohemia. Under the Lords of Maissau Staatz experienced its heyday.

In 1430 the Lords of Maissau were deprived of Staatz Castle after a failed rebellion against Albert II of Germany and in 1431 it was given as a fief to Niklas Truchseß von Drasenhofen. In 1439 the castle was unsuccessfully besieged by Hussites.

It later went to the Barons of Roggendorf in the 1st half of the 16th century. In 1551, Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, gave the castle to the Barons of Breuner, who then enlarged it.

Although the castle was thought to be impregnable, it was taken in April 1645 after a siege by Swedish troops under General Lennart Torstensson during the Thirty Years' War. During the siege the castle had been bombarded after which it had caught fire. During their following year-long occupation of the castle, the Swedes demolished it. After they left the damaged castle was abandoned and a new residential castle was built at the foot of the mountain. The ruined medieval castle served as a quarry. The new castle burned down and was demolished in 1945.

At present Staatz Castle is freely accessible. A nice castle ruin with great views.

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