Weißenburg, Frankenfels, Medieval castle ruins in Frankenfels, Austria.

Weißenburg stands on a bright limestone rock in the upper Pielachtal valley and retains remnants of fortification walls and a central structure. The ruins clearly show the typical building style of medieval castles in this region.

Documented from the 12th century, the castle was likely founded earlier and was held by the Rabensteiner family, a branch of the Hohenstaufens, from the 13th century. After the last Weissenberger died between 1365 and 1381, ownership was disputed and divided among the Liechtenstein, Pottendorf and Wallsee families. Around 1648 Gotthard Count of Tattenbach enlarged the castle, and in 1683 about 300 local inhabitants found refuge there from Ottoman raiders. Around 1790 the roofs were removed under the roof tax, leading to rapid decay.

The site shows how medieval people used elevated positions to protect and monitor their lands. The bright limestone rock shaped both the appearance and the name of this defensive stronghold.

The ruin is privately owned by two families and has been renovated since 1975; visitors should keep to the marked areas. It is reached from the north through a neck ditch, and the site lies on a limestone rock above the confluence of the Weißenbach and the Pielach. The terrain is uneven, with exposed masonry and excavation areas.

The name Weißenburg comes directly from the bright color of the limestone rock on which the castle was built. Old copper engravings by Georg Matthäus Vischer show how grand the structure looked in its original state.