Schloss Sauerbrunn, Historic castle in Pöls-Oberkurzheim, Austria

Schloss Sauerbrunn stands in the Thalheim cadastral community of Pöls-Oberkurzheim, on the southern slope of the Mur valley near the Pölshals. Its north and west wings are partly demolished; at the south corner rises a bastion-like tower with a tent-shaped roof built around 1600. Above the round-arched entrance portal on the east side is the Teuffenbach coat of arms, and a free-standing chapel of 1689 stands by the castle. Twelve mineral springs lie beneath it.

Franz von Teuffenbach constructed the castle between 1547 and 1552, establishing it as a hospital and poorhouse institution that operates as a foundation to this day. This original purpose continues to shape its role in the community.

The name Sauerbrunn comes from the twelve mineral springs beneath the castle; their water has been sold as Thalheimer Sauerbrunn healing water since 1578. On the east side, above the round-arched entrance portal, the coat of arms of the Teuffenbach family is set into the wall. A free-standing chapel of 1689 stands on the castle grounds.

The castle stands on the southern slope of the Mur valley near the Pölshals, close to Landesstraße 114a, about 8.4 km west of Judenburg. The northern and western wings are partly demolished, so the surviving south corner tower and the free-standing chapel of 1689 are the main structures to look for. The site was comprehensively renovated in 2023/2024.

In 2008, the castle was purchased by a company owned by the founder of Red Bull, bringing modern enterprise into the historic site. A decade later, a brewery began operations on nearby grounds, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary business.