Sprinzenstein Castle, Protected castle in Sarleinsbach, Austria.

Sprinzenstein Castle rises above the Small Mühl Valley on a rocky foundation, featuring half-round towers and a columned courtyard from the 17th century. The structure combines medieval fortification elements with Renaissance features while maintaining the layout of a noble residence.

The first owner named in records is Knight Siboto von Sprinzenstein in 1253, a Passau ministerialis of the Tannberg lineage. In 1281 Chunrad von Tannberg had to hand the seat to Count Albrecht of Habsburg, making half of it a princely fief; the Passau half passed to Dionys Praun only in 1525. A fire in 1583 led to rebuilding as a Renaissance residence, and after another fire around 1602 the present appearance was completed by 1632.

The castle's name comes from a legend: a farmer saw a finch (Sprinz) returning to the same rock, dug there, found a treasure, and built a castle called Sprinz auf den Stein. Nearby stands the former castle tavern, founded in 1574 by Johann Albrecht von Sprinzenstein with imperial licence.

The former drawbridge has been replaced with a stone bridge, making access through the entrance area more straightforward. Visitors can observe the medieval structures and fortification elements upon arrival.

The name comes from a legend: a farmer kept chasing a finch (Sprinz) off a rock, but it always returned. Taking this as a sign, he dug there, found a great treasure, built a castle he called "Sprinz on the stone", and was raised to the nobility.