Lerchen Castle

Lerchen Castle is situated in Radstadt, which is in the Sankt Johann im Pongau district of Salzburg.

The Salzburg residence, which was originally constructed as a tower, was first documented in 1289.During the peasant uprisings of 1525/26, the town was conquered, plundered, and subsequently burned down by the peasants.The reconstruction process was initiated in 1530 by Michael Wilpendorfer.The castle remained in the possession of the Wilpendorfer family until 1633.Captain Johann Schmiedinger purchased it in 1637.In 1648, Joseph Christoph Ziurletti von Lerchen purchased it.In his will, Johann Christoph, the son, left the property to the city of Radstadt. Later, the city sold it to Felix Pflanzenmann in 1695.

Following subsequent changes in ownership, the Salzburg Court Chamber obtained the castle in 1779. They then proceeded to expand it, transforming it into an official residence for the chief hunter and woodruff master.The coat of arms of Archbishop Colloredo, along with the year 1779, is still visible on the bay window located on the eastern facade.Following the annexation of Salzburg to Austria, the castle was put up for auction in 1823. It was eventually acquired by Josef Schaidinger, a brewer and innkeeper from Radstadt, who decided to establish his brewery cellar within its premises.

The owners documented after 1828 include Katherina Zallerin, Franz Bededikt Steinwender (1828), the Dean of Teisendorf, the municipality of Radstadt (1831), Benedikt Kleiner (1845), Matthias and Theresia Wisenegger (1846), Cyril and Maria Darin (1872), and Leonhard Marangani (1882), who was an Italian sawmill owner.In 1904, Rupert Prehauser purchased the residence after the interior of the palace had been defaced.In 1905, the St. Catherine Hospital in Radstadt purchased the property and established a hospital and care facility on the premises.In 1939, the municipality took over the facility once again. Later, in 1971/72, an extension was added to the building, which unfortunately lacked any distinctive architectural features.

The residence features a Gothic core located in the north-east of the complex. This three-storey floor is separate from the other annexes.The typical appearance of a Salzburg residence has undergone significant changes due to various additions and conversions.

The local history museum in Radstadt has been located here since 1985.The exhibition showcases sacred art, historical perspectives of Radstadt, various tools and craft products. Additionally, there is a dedicated room that pays homage to Paul Hofhaimer, the renowned composer and organist from Radstadt.Furthermore, the geological condition of the area is also mentioned.