Kranichberg Castle, Medieval castle in Kirchberg am Wechsel, Austria

Kranichberg is a stone castle standing on a hill southeast of Gloggnitz, with an almost square shape and a five-story tower that was typical for fortifications of its kind. The three-story main building is surrounded by thick walls that show signs of different construction phases over time.

A Sigfridus de Craneberch appears in documents around 1150; the castle itself was probably built in the early 13th century by the Lords of Kranichberg, ministeriales of the Counts of Formbach and Pitten. After their line died out, Ulrich II von Walsee-Graz is named as holder in 1352, followed by Leutold von Stadeck in 1363 and Ulrich von Montfort in 1400. After 1420 it was princely property, pledged several times; King Matthias Corvinus took it in 1480 and it was returned after the Peace of Pressburg in 1491. In 1745 a fire destroyed the entrance front and west wing; Anton Franz Adam von Lamberg rebuilt it in Baroque style and sold it to the Archdiocese of Vienna in 1769.

The castle is also called Schloss Kranichberg, and its Chapel of St. Ursula served as the parish church of Kranichberg. The chapel kept its legal personality after the parish was dissolved in 2023, and services there rest on a servitude recorded in the land register.

The castle sits on a hilltop, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended and the climb can be demanding. The ongoing renovation work for the planned doll and toy museum may affect access to certain areas, so checking ahead is useful.

The Archdiocese of Vienna bought the castle in 1769 from Anton Franz Adam Count von Lamberg, who had rebuilt it in Baroque style after the 1745 fire. The archdiocese kept it until 1970, when it sold the property and several further changes of owner followed.