Schloss Purgstall

Schloss Purgstall is a medieval castle in Purgstall an der Erlauf in Lower Austria, situated on a triangular plateau of conglomerate rock where the Feichsenbach and Erlauf rivers meet. The estate encompasses approximately seven hectares of park land surrounding the fortress structures.

The castle was established around 1100 by the Regensburg bishopric as a fortified settlement and transferred to the Lengenbach family in 1121. Over subsequent centuries it changed hands and evolved into a residential estate.

The Mariahilf chapel inside the castle dates to the 14th century and features cross-ribbed vaults along with a gallery added in 1493 that visitors can still observe today. These spaces reflect how the castle served as a place of worship throughout the centuries.

The castle remains privately owned, but portions of the grounds are open to visitors for exploration. The expansive park provides room for walking and observing the landscape from different vantage points.

During World War II, the castle served from 1943 onward as a secure storage facility for major art collections from Viennese museums. This unexpected role reveals how such buildings sometimes protected cultural treasures during turbulent periods.