Bodenhof Castle, château
Bodenhof Castle is a fortified residence in Sankt Stefan im Gailtal with origins in the early 1500s that evolved across multiple periods and displays a mix of architectural styles. The building features thick stone walls, several towers including a polygonal one added in 1927, Gothic windows, and a chapel from the 1400s located beneath the southeast tower.
The castle was granted as a lease by King Maximilian around 1500 to Christoph Viertaler from Graz, a family that continues to own it today. Major repairs occurred in 1644, between 1890 and 1910, and again in the 1920s, with a distinctive polygonal tower added in 1927.
The chapel beneath the southeast tower is dedicated to Saint Anthony and the Three Kings, shaping the spiritual life of the place since 1479. The wall paintings depict biblical scenes and create a space where visitors can understand the sacred role this site has held for the local community across centuries.
The best way to reach the castle is by car or bike, as public transportation options are limited and it sits near the train station in Sankt Stefan im Gailtal. Guided tours are recommended to fully understand the history and architecture, and to trace the various building styles across the centuries.
Archaeologists discovered a bronze bracelet from the late Iron Age on the grounds, showing the area was inhabited centuries before the castle was built. This early human presence suggests a location of long-standing strategic and cultural importance that played a role across thousands of years.
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