Riegersburg Castle near Graz | Birds of Prey, Rope Park & More

In this article, you can read about all the recommended activities at Riegersburg Castle and the most essential information for your visit.

The Story of Riegersburg Castle

Settlement in the Riegersburg area began as early as the 9th century BC and later grew during the rule of the Roman Empire in this region.

Riegersburg Castle was established in the 12th century by the knight Rüdiger von Hohenberg. It was built on a bare hill at an altitude of 480 meters. This hill is actually a dormant volcano, and its basalt stones were used in the construction of the castle.

Over the years, the castle changed hands many times, but most owners did not invest much in its development. One of the owners who influenced its design was Baroness Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler, who lived there in the 17th century. During her time, the castle was renovated and expanded, becoming one of the largest and most fortified in the entire region. About 108 rooms were built inside the castle, and it was surrounded by high walls, 5 security gates, and two defensive moats.

During the power struggles between the Turks and the Hungarians in the 17th century, the castle was right on the border of the Ottoman Empire and served as a safe haven for the residents of the area.

The castle remained in the possession of the Galler family (the family of Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler’s husband) until the end of the 18th century. It then passed to the Purgstall family until it was finally purchased by the noble Liechtenstein family, who have retained ownership to this day.

Today, the castle houses 3 interesting history museums, and about a quarter of its rooms are open to visitors. In the castle’s garden complex, there are various fun attractions. The most popular among them is the bird of prey sanctuary.

This is what the castle looks like from a bird’s eye view:

The Museums in the Castle

The castle has 108 rooms, but only 25 of them are open to visitors, housing the displays of the castle’s museums. There are 3 museums you can visit:

1. The Castle Museum

This museum presents the history of the castle, especially the events that took place there in the 17th century. The museum showcases the period of the wars with the Turks and the lives of the castle’s inhabitants in previous centuries. The exhibition incorporates videos and recorded information to enrich the visit.

2. The Witch Museum

Witch hunts were a routine matter in the Middle Ages, and the castle was also linked to witch stories when, in the 17th century, the largest witch trial in Styria was held. In this trial, one of the servants of the noble family who lived in the castle was executed. This woman was named Katharina Paldauf, and to this day she is known by the nickname “the Flower Witch.” She was accused of destroying a farmer’s crop from the nearby village by controlling the weather.

The exhibition in the museum deals with the subject of witches, which was so central in Styria during the Middle Ages. In fact, about 200 trials and executions were held in Styria at that time.

3. The Weapons Museum

The castle’s armory serves as an interesting display of battle armor, swords, spears, knives, rifles, and pistols. The exhibits in the museum are diverse, and some have been preserved since the 15th century. The display focuses mainly on weapons used by the castle’s defenders (which was once considered the strongest in the entire region). During the visit, you can hold some of the ancient weapons.

Guided Tours inside Riegersburg Castle

During the summer months (early July to early September), regular guided tours are held in the museums. The tours are in German, but a tour in English can be booked in advance. In addition, information booklets in English, Russian, French, Spanish, etc., are provided free of charge at the entrance.

Castle Museum Tour: Sundays and holidays at 12:30 PM. The tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Witch Museum Tour: Sundays and holidays at 1:30 PM. The tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Weapons Museum Tour: By prior arrangement only.

The Bird of Prey Show

Similar to many ancient castles in Austria, Riegersburg Castle also has a bird of prey sanctuary that offers spectacular flight shows and information about these impressive animals. The sanctuary has about 30 large birds of various species. During the show, you will sit comfortably on stands in the castle garden and watch the “kings of the sky” perform their trainers’ instructions and fly elegantly right over your head to “catch” the coveted prey.

This is what the flight show looks like:

Other Attractions around the Riegersburg Castle Complex

For lovers of sports and a bit of extreme activity, there is an opportunity to try some fun activities right next to the castle. On the north side of the hill, not far from the castle elevator station, there is a high ropes course with a variety of high-altitude routes, an experiential archery course, a bungee trampoline, and a playground for children.

Another equally enjoyable activity is the via ferrata (Klettersteig) on the side of the hill. This is a walking route that combines mountain climbing using metal cables attached along the high rock walls. Part of the route is suitable for beginners, and part is suitable for advanced climbers. Safety equipment can be rented on-site.

How to get to Riegersburg Castle?

There are two possible ways to get to the castle on top of the hill:

Elevator – The most convenient and fastest way to reach the castle. The elevator is located on the northern side of the hill. The ride takes a minute and a half and will save you a long walk up the hill. Next to the elevator station at the foot of the castle, there is a parking lot for cars and buses. The elevator is suitable for visitors with strollers or wheelchairs. The walking path up the hill is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Walking – The walking trail to the castle starts in the heart of Riegersburg village, near the church. The walk up the hill takes about 20 minutes. During the walk, you can see the security gates that protected the way to the castle in the 17th century when there were many wars in the area. Along the route, there are benches for resting and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and nature.

Please note: It is not possible to walk this route with strollers. For that, you must use the elevator.

Essential Information for Visiting the Riegersburg Castle Complex

Castle Operating Hours:

October: Every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last admission at 4:00 PM.
May to September: Every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last admission at 5:00 PM.
The castle is closed in winter.

Please note: In case of bad weather, the high ropes course will be closed.

Costs:

Ascent and Descent only (elevator and walking trail):

Adult – €8.50
Child (6-15) – €4.50
Family (2 adults and their children) – €19

Ascent and Descent (elevator and walking trail) + Visit to the Castle Museums:

Adult – €23.40
Child (6-15) – €13.90
Family (2 adults and their children) – €54.90

Ascent + Descent (elevator and walking trail) + Visit to the Castle Museums + Bird of Prey Show:

Adult – €35
Child (6-15) – €19.90
Family (2 adults and their children) – €82.90

Climbing course (for children): €20 per participant. Via Ferrata on the hillside (for adults): €45 per participant.

Official Websites:

Addresses:

Castle Address: Riegersburg 1, 8333 Riegersburg
Attractions Park and Elevator Address: Riegersburg 217, 8333 Riegersburg
Start of the walking trail to the castle: Riegersburg 32, 8333 Riegersburg

Map:

Other Attractions in the Area

A short 5-minute drive away is the Zotter Chocolate World. At this visitor center, you can participate in a particularly indulgent tasting tour and learn about the world of chocolate in a very comprehensive way. Read more information about the Zotter Chocolate Factory.