Dear Visitors of Riegersburg Castle!
Our family lives in Riegersburg since 1972. One of our predecessors as Owner of Riegersburg Castle was the famous Gallerin, which ruled the castle 1637 – 1672.
Today we try, with all efforts, to keep this styrian landmark in good condition, but also play an active role in its organisation and development as well.
1987, the styrian government used the castle for the exhibition „Hexen und Zauberer“ („Witches and Sorcerers“), the most successful Landessaustellung in Styria of all time.
1996 we made our own contribution to the millennium of Austria with the exhibition „Klar und Fest“ („Straight and Firm“), the history of the Liechtenstein Family, which is very strong connected with Austria.
2003 was a great moment for the castle: With help from the styrian government, we were able to build a lift up to the castle.
The new exhibition „Sagenhafte Riegersburg - Legendäre Frauen“ („Legendary Riegersburg – Legendary Women“) is a journey into the history of Riegersburg Castle in 17th century, designed in a modern way with videos, images and sounds, it let you really feel and understand this bygone era.
Our daily live is still very connected to the castle. In the last few years we renewed the whole roof of the building, about 10.000 m², we restored 2 miles of walls and installed an outdoor illumination of the castle and also of the footpath trough the 7 archways. We also had to manage the organisation and the support of the connected companies, as the souvenir shop and the tavern.
Our Family is eager, to bring this historical landmark of Styria into the 22nd century. We have to sons, Emanuel (born 1978), who’s studied medicine and Ulrich (born 1983), who’s studied law. They are the next one, who are responsible, to keep this castle in good preserve for he future.
Since 1822, the castle belongs to the Liechtenstein family, whose genealogical tree reaches back to the 12th century. (Hugo of Liechtenstein). This minstrel (1200 – 1275), he is no ancestor of the royal family, reported about Heinrich of Liechtenstein, who lived at the same time and succeeded in the battle near the Leitha (1246) for Austria.
Some of the well known members of the family are Karl I. (Vice-King of Bohemia), Anton Florian (educator of Emperor Karl VI., who was the father of Maria Theresia), Josef Wenzel (Diplomat and army commander). Sovereign Johannes I. of Liechtenstein was a general and carried the peace negotiations with Napoleon. It is his merit that Liechtenstein exists still today as a dukedom.
