Burg Neu-Leonroth, Burgruine in Sankt Martin am Wöllmißberg (98717)
Neu-Leonroth is a medieval ruin on a rocky hill near Sankt Martin am Wöllmißberg in Styria. The complex consists of a main fortress with a roughly rectangular footprint of about 50 feet and a rear outer ward, with visible remains including wall sections, residential structures, chapel foundations, and a cistern carved from the rock.
The fortress was built around the turn of the 13th to 14th century and served as a seat for important noble families including the Lords of Traugau and Massenburg. It was abandoned in the 17th century and fell into decay, with a copper engraving from 1681 documenting its partly destroyed structures.
The castle's name evolved from Leonrode to Neu-Leonroth over centuries, reflecting its changing history. Today the remaining walls tell of an era when such fortifications shaped how people lived and who held power in the region.
The ruin sits on a steep rocky hill with significant elevation changes, so sturdy footwear and some stamina are necessary. The site is now protected and maintained as a monument, but visitors should check with local authorities beforehand about access and current conditions.
A cistern carved into the rock with about 3 meters in diameter and 9 meters deep supplied inhabitants during sieges and shows medieval engineering solutions. The rock-cut moat on the north side, carved directly from the natural hill, demonstrates clever use of the terrain for defense.
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