Wildberg Castle

Wildberg Castle, locally known as Burg or Schloss Wildberg, lies in the municipality of Kirchschlag bei Linz, in the province of Upper Austria in Austria.

Wildberg Castle was first mentioned in 1145. It was built on a ridge in the Haselgraben valley, through which led an ancient trade route between Bohemia and Upper Austria. It was built by the free knights of Haunsperger. In 1198 it went to Gundaker II von Steyr, who is considered to be the ancestor of the later House of Starhemberg. Wildberg is the oldest seat which is still owned by the Starhemberg family up to this day.

In July 1394 Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, the son of the late Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, was captured near Prague by rebellious nobles. They handed Wenceslaus over to Kaspar and Gundaker of Starhemberg, who imprisoned him in the keep of Wildberg Castle. Wenceslaus was released a month later, at the urging of German princes.

In the mid-16th century an arcaded Renaissance-style building was built between the keep and the Gothic castle. In 1654 the castle suffered damage from a fire. In 1664-65 a residential castle was built on the site of the former bailey.

In the early 1920s the roof of the palace collapsed and caused the south part of the castle to fall to ruin.

At present Wildberg Castle is a private property and can therefore not be visited, only during special cultural events. Such a pity because it looks very nice.

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