Castles And Palaces In Steyr
Steyr, Austria, is home to several castles and palaces that reflect its historical and cultural significance. The most prominent is the Lamberg Castle, a medieval fortress built by the Traungau counts. In the 15th century, it was acquired by the Lambergs, a noble family from Carinthia, who transformed it into a Renaissance palace. The Lambergs were influential patrons of arts and sciences and hosted famous guests such as Emperor Maximilian I, Martin Luther, Johannes Kepler, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The castle is now a museum showcasing the Lambergs’ art collection, historical weapons, and furniture.
The Werndl Castle, a Baroque palace built in the 17th century by the Werndls, is located in the center of Steyrer and is now the headquarters of the Steyr Arms company. The castle was built by the wealthy merchant family, who made their fortune from iron trade and firearms production. The castle is now a ruin that can be visited by hikers and nature lovers.
The Tabor Castle, a Rococo palace built in the 18th century by the Tabors, is located in the suburb of Tabor, south of Steyrer. The Tabors were prominent bankers and industrialists who financed the construction of the Steyr-Tabor railway, the first steam-powered railway in Austria. The palace is now a cultural center hosting concerts, exhibitions, and weddings.
Bummerlhaus
The Bummerlhaus, a Gothic-style urban residence in Steyr, Austria, has its origins dating back to the 13th century. It was first documented in 1450 and is most likely named after the sign of the former inn, “Zum Goldenen Löwen.” The townhouse holds significant importance in art history and can be traced back to the 15th century through its proprietors.
In 1490, Hanns Prandtstetter inherited the patrician house, which was commissioned by Hans Prandtstetter. The property ownership was transferred to Hanns Prandtstetter’s son, who was also the owner of the property from 1567 to 1596. From 1567 to 1596, Wolf Händl von Ramingdorf held the position of mayor of Steyr for a significant period. Stefan Grafhaider purchased the dilapidated house in 1651, and the Grafhaider heirs sold the property to Daniel Edtinger in 1687. He then owned the building until 1748.
The house used to house an inn called “Zum goldenen Löwen” until 1898 and then as a hardware store until 1964. In 1964, the Volkskreditbank acquired the property and began a major renovation project. A cash hall was installed on the ground floor of the front building, and the attic extension was dismantled in 1994. A spacious office unit was built, incorporating a roof truss design that represents a stable and formal construction principle.
The Bummerlhaus in Steyr, Austria, is a remarkable and well-preserved late Gothic town house. The architectural design reflects the traditional Steyr concept, consisting of a front building with a beautifully decorated façade facing the town square, a rear building, and three courtyards with arcades. The central focus of the house is a square tower, reminiscent of a medieval residential tower. The front elevation features a spacious bay window made of stone, blind arcades, and a luxurious frieze with a quatrefoil tracery.
The house chapel, integrated within the house, is a remarkable illustration of Gothic secular architecture. The upper level features four elegant late-Gothic windows, an altarpiece called the Ascension of Christ, and a door jamb decorated with five trefoil motifs. The first-floor wooden ceilings in the front building are intricately designed, showcasing the builder’s wealth and opulence.
Located on the south-west side of the third courtyard is a partially free-standing late Gothic spiral staircase that connects the building with the raised garden and provides access to the Berggasse.
Sternhaus
The Sternhaus, located at Steyrer Stadtplatz 12, underwent a transformation into a late Baroque style following a devastating town fire in 1727. The Gothic structure was beautifully reconstructed, featuring a continuous bay window and five window axes. This clever design element not only hides the gabled roof, but also creates the illusion of the building being one story taller. The exterior showcases exquisite details, including white griffins clutching a golden star, coats of arms representing Winterl and Schoiber von Engelstein, and a beautifully painted relief of John the Baptist. The second-story windows are beautifully decorated with angels that symbolize the crown’s five senses, each representing smell, taste, hearing, sight, and touch. The design was probably by Gotthard Hayberger.
Martin Schmidinger, a merchant who served as town judge in Steyr from 1433 to 1439 and 1445, owned the property. The home was owned by the Prandstetter and Guetbrot families during the 16th and 17th centuries. Matthias Abele von Lilienberg, a poet and court clerk of Leopold I, was the owner of the property around 1660. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the property changed hands several times, being owned by different individuals such as Johannes and Theresia Wimerl-Schoiber, Johann Nepomuk Stohammer, and Johann and Katharina Eberstaller. The renovations of the Sternhaus were completed in 1979.
Schloss Voglsang
The magnificent Schloss Voglsang is a stunning neo-Gothic house located in Steyr. It was skillfully constructed by the talented architects Josef Werndl and Anton Plochberger. The building is a three-story structure with four corner towers and a rectangular floor plan. The north-east and south-west facades stand out more than the side facades. A glass house structure in the middle of the roof illuminates the staircase. The attic conversion features windows that are positioned lower, which is indicative of its 1920s origin. The first floor of the building housed the men’s salon and a spacious dining room.
The castle’s façade showcases elements of late Gothic style inspired by the Scottish model (Tudor Gothic), while maintaining its own unique character. The castle was named after historian Valentin Preuenhueber and was intended to be a large, symbolic access way. In 1873, Werndl acquired the Vogelsang district property and enlisted the expertise of master builder Anton Plochberger to assess a palace complex, which he then replicated in Steyr. The city refused the shell of the building, and Werndl’s subsequent attempts to sell it were unsuccessful.
The villa construction showcased an exhibition for the city’s 900th anniversary celebrations in 1880 and later held an electrical demonstration in 1884. The park and palm house were opened to the public by Werndl in 1885, and a separate access route from Volksstrasse is still in operation as of 2018. The building was inherited by Caroline von Imhof after Werndl’s passing. She worked to expand and make it suitable for living by the end of 1890. Prince Ludwig of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha became the new owner in 1909.
In 1928, the Tyrolean Franciscan Province acquired the property and converted it into a monastery for boys. The Palm House was demolished during the interwar period, but the home was reopened in 1945 after being closed by the National Socialists. The castle was purchased by real estate developer Dobrauz in 1995 and transformed into a condominium for senior citizens.The Federal Monuments Office has officially recognized the structure as Voglsang Castle with Park and Fountain as a monument.
Lamberg Castle
Lamberg Castle, located at the confluence of the Steyr and Enns rivers in Upper Austria, was owned by the Counts of Lamberg from 1666 until 1938. The castle is a baroque castle with an English-style landscape, designed by Johann Michael Prunner. The city-side castle wall, 35-meter-wide moat, and the ancient Styraburg’s keep (Roman tower) have all been maintained, along with a Gothic entrance at the foot of the castle hill.
The courtyard features a Renaissance fountain with the Lambergian heraldic animal, surrounded by twelve baroque sandstone dwarf sculptures. The sandstone statues were created by Linz artist Johann Baptist Wuntscher in 1720 as parodies of various roles, peoples, authority, and styles. The well was liberated in 2014 after six linden trees were erected in the 1950s, which severely damaged the well. The fountain and dwarf statues were repaired and reinstalled later.
The south-east wing is dominated by the two-story baroque façade of the former castle chapel, which has been converted into a ceremonial hall for the register office. The baroque gate house opens onto the steps leading to the police station. The Berggasse, the main gateway of the castle’s southeast wing, represents the coats of arms of the Lamberg and Harrach families.
The complex’s oldest structure is the Roman tower, which functioned as the keep of the old fortress. The Styraburg moat was preserved, and the Graben is used for operetta performances and open-air films as part of the Steyr Music Festival. The baroque palace library, with almost 10,300 volumes, is one of Austria’s greatest private libraries.
The Berggasse is linked to Lamberg Castle by a Gothic archway dating back to the medieval castle walls. A plastic copy of the Lamberg coat of arms and a mural showing two full-length knights against a medieval Steyr backdrop can be found near the castle entrance. Otto Götzinger created his first piece in Steyr in 1949, a fresco.
In 1476, a castle garden was established for the first time by Johannes Beckenschlager, the fleeing Archbishop of Gran and afterwards Archbishop of Salzburg. In 1844, the park was transformed into an English landscape park, which was leased to the municipality in 1919. The park was taken over by the Reich Forest Administration in 1938, along with Count Lamberg’s allodial possessions, and passed to the Reichsgau Oberdonau above in 1942.
Engelseck Castle
The castle complex in Steyr (Redtenbachergasse No. 9) was constructed in 1500.Teufelseck was the name of the estate until 1642.There is a listing for “Schloss Engelsegg” in the Federal Monuments Office.
The precise date of construction for Engelseck remains a mystery, although records indicate its existence as far back as the 13th century.It is highly probable that the builder is Hans Fuchsberger, a wealthy textile dealer who held the position of mayor of Steyr from 1525 to 1526.The castle was purchased by Josef Achtmarkt von Achtmarktstein in 1641 and underwent a restoration in the Renaissance style during his tenure as mayor from 1642 to 1645 and 1647.The name of the residence was changed from Teufelseck to Engelseck.Teufelsegg is named after the Teufelsbach, which flows partially underground.
Mattheus Riss purchased the castle in 1667, and the Riss von Risenfels family maintained ownership until 1726.Johann Josef von Risenfels’ wife was Helena Theresia Händl von Ramingdorf.The proprietor was Franziska von Rummel.Jakob Voith purchased the territory from Freifrau Franziska von Rummel in 1783.
The ownership of the property changed hands over the years, with various individuals and families taking ownership, such as the Höger family, Josef Mayr in 1835, and Josef Werndl, who was also the owner of Rosenegg Castle.Engelsegg met the Counts of Lamberg through his daughter Anna.The city of Steyr has been the owner of the land since 1918.
The chateau is a modest two-story Renaissance building.The courtyard is visible from the front due to the three-wing floor arrangement.The fronts of the short side wings feature hipped roofs.A tall tower is positioned in the center wing, accompanied by two circular towers and a fortified wall.The central tower has no roof and is surrounded by a platform with a false crenellation that replaces the previously existing onion dome.A statue of St. Nepomuk is positioned against a wall.The exterior is adorned with an arched frieze and imitation ashlar, adding a touch of elegance.The years 1766 and 1617 are pinned to the coat of arms on the south side of the castle courtyard, respectively.The Redtenbachergasse circular tower offers a stunning view of Steyr.There is a park adjacent to the castle, adorned with beautiful trees.
Steyr Town Hall
The Steyr town hall, located at Stadtplatz 27, is a rococo structure designed and built by Johann Gotthard Hayberger between 1765 and 1778.Wolfgang Hueber was the architect.
The onion dome, which emphasizes the building’s vertical posture, is a standout feature.Six allegorical figures (from left to right) are depicted on the balustrade and on either side of the tower: Lady Justice with a sword, scales, and blindfold, Penal Law with an iron ball and chain, Omniscience with the Eye of God, Self-knowledge with a mirror, Church Patronage with a censer, and Roman Law with a book and pillar.
The front of the building is adorned with a clock and massive pillars.On the ground and first levels, the windows on the first and second floors are covered and barred.The balcony above the main doorway is surrounded by a wrought-iron trellis.The city coat of arms depicts a flame-spitting panther above the gateway.The conference room, on the Enns side, has a magnificent stucco ceiling and marble door jambs; the city archive is on the first floor of the right side wing.
The onion dome, which emphasizes the building’s vertical posture, is a standout feature.Six allegorical figures (from left to right) are depicted on the balustrade and on either side of the tower: Lady Justice with a sword, scales, and blindfold, Penal Law with an iron ball and chain, Omniscience with the Eye of God, Self-knowledge with a mirror, Church Patronage with a censer, and Roman Law with a book and pillar.
The front of the building is adorned with a clock and massive pillars.On the ground and first levels, the windows on the first and second floors are covered and barred.The balcony above the main doorway is surrounded by a wrought-iron trellis.The city coat of arms depicts a flame-spitting panther above the gateway.The conference room, on the Enns side, has a magnificent stucco ceiling and marble door jambs; the city archive is on the first floor of the right side wing.
The town hall was built to replace an older, deteriorating structure.Hayberger’s ideas date back to 1757, but they were not put into action until 1765.The construction was overseen by the city master builder Wolfgang Hueber and the chief city treasurer Johann Anton Mayrhofer.The main structure was finished in 1772, while the rear wings, which were built around a courtyard, were finished in 1778.After WWII, the building was constantly altered and renovated; for example, the front wing was enlarged in 1956.In 1979, the baroque hall, which previously housed the city records, was converted into a festival hall.The clock was replaced the following year.Every decade, the facade must be completely redone. The facade has been light gray since 2000; it was previously orange-pink.
Lebzelterhaus
Lebzelterhaus is a Renaissance-style patrician house in Steyr, a historic city in Upper Austria. The house is located in the district of Steyrdorf, opposite the Red Fountain and near the Gothic Dunklhof. The house dates back to the mid-16th century and is decorated with paintings and a sundial. The house was used for the production and sale of gingerbread, mead, and wax items until the mid-20th century. The house is now a museum and a cafe that showcase the history and culture of Steyr.
The house was built around 1567 by the Lebzelter family, who were wealthy merchants and craftsmen in Steyr. The name Lebzelter comes from the German word for gingerbread, which was one of their main products. The house was also used for making mead, a honey-based alcoholic drink, and wax candles and figurines. The Lebzelters were influential and respected citizens of Steyr, who had close ties with the Lambergs, the noble family who owned the nearby castle of Schloss Lamberg. The house was also a meeting place for artists, scholars, and travelers, who were attracted by the Lebzelters’ hospitality and culture. The house remained in the possession of the Lebzelter family until 1957, when it was bought by the city of Steyr and restored to its original Renaissance appearance.
The house is a typical example of the Renaissance style in Upper Austria, which was influenced by the Italian and German styles. The house has a rectangular shape and a gabled roof, with two stories and an attic. The facade is painted in bright colors, with geometric and floral motifs. The most striking feature of the facade is the large mural that covers the entire upper story. The mural depicts Emperor Friedrich III and his son Maximilian I, who were important rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and patrons of Steyr. The mural also shows the coat of arms of the Lebzelter family and the city of Steyr, as well as the date of 1567. The mural is one of the oldest and best-preserved examples of Renaissance painting in Austria. Another notable feature of the facade is the sundial, which is located on the corner of the house. The sundial has a Latin inscription that reads “Tempus fugit, aeternitas manet”, which means “Time flies, eternity remains”.
The house is now a museum and a cafe that offer visitors a glimpse into the history and culture of Steyr. The museum displays various items related to the Lebzelter family and their craft, such as gingerbread molds, mead bottles, wax figurines, and historical documents. The museum also exhibits some of the original furniture and paintings from the 16th century, as well as some modern artworks inspired by the Lebzelterhaus. The cafe is located on the ground floor of the house, where the original shop of the Lebzelters was. The cafe serves traditional and modern gingerbread, mead, and other local specialties, as well as coffee and tea. The cafe also hosts cultural events, such as concerts, readings, and exhibitions.
Innerberger Stadel
The Innerberger Stadel, situated at Steyrer Grünmarkt 26, is a remarkable Renaissance building adorned with stunning sgraffito painting dating back to 1612/13.The building was named after Innerberg’s principal trade union, which acquired it in 1628.The Steyr City Museum and the Steyrer Kripperl are currently located there.
The building with a moat-roof is connected to the neighboring Neutor and has a gable end that overlooks the Grünmarkt.The lowest floor features impressive vaults, partially stuccoed, while the two floors above showcase massive supporting components with tram ceilings, characterized by wooden beam ceilings.
A painting depicting a scene from Joseph’s story (Gen 42, ELB EU) can be seen just above the entrance gate. This artwork reflects the building’s purpose as a food store, as indicated by the year 1612 displayed alongside it. The second level is adorned with a majestic double-headed eagle, surrounded by a halo, proudly displaying the coat of arms of the iron trade union.The ground level of the main gate is flanked by two side entrances, namely Steyrer Kripperl and Museum of the City of Steyr.
Additionally, there are two large barred windows on the outside, one on the right and one on the left.The two upper floors feature six smaller, barred windows each, along with a double gable positioned below four windows and above two.A menacing iron gargoyle juts out from the moat, perched between the two roofs.The window and door openings are adorned with sgraffiti, a form of scratch plaster artwork. The citizens’ fountain on the plaza in front of the barn was constructed from 1977 to 1979.The design was created by Maximilian Stockenhuber (Linz).
Dunklhof
The Dunklhof, previously known as Stippelhof, is a notable late Gothic town house located in Kirchengasse 16, Upper Austria. It features a Renaissance arcaded courtyard in the Steyrdorf’s Steyr sector.
This residential edifice, which served as the seat of the lower courts, has a rich history dating back to the 15th century.The cantilever facade facing Kirchengasse is quite striking, especially with the top level protruding from the ground floor.The arcaded courtyard, constructed around 1520/25, boasts stunning columns and corner pillars adorned with intricate tracery decorations.The arcade courtyard was fully restored in 1996, with attention to detail given to the mortared ridges, ridge and groin connections, and the use of ancient hand-beaten roof tiles.The roof parts facing away from the sides were adorned with new church plain tiles during the installation process.The front facing Kirchengasse was renovated in 2006.This particular yellow artwork is from that same period.
The house has been owned by a series of individuals since 1834, starting with Christian Brittinger, who also founded the first pharmacy. Alfred Brittinger took over in 1867, followed by Karl Arazim in 1885, Heinrich Lang in 1891, Mathilde Stippl (Anton Stippl) in 1894, Otto Dunkl in 1910, and finally his son, the architect Heinrich Dunkl, who used the house for both personal and professional purposes as a partial heir. He married poet Waltraut Oberleitner-Schottenloher, also known as Dora Dunkl, in October 1958.They hosted their inaugural “evening music in the Dunklhof” on July 29, 1959, inviting guests to join them.This annual “serenade evening” continued to be held until her passing.
The courtyard serves both as a residential area and a venue for various events.The Holy Spirit Pharmacy, Steyr’s oldest pharmacy, has a rich history that is still evident today through the remaining sign.In 2001, the pharmacy relocated to Wieserfeldplatz due to limited space and what was considered a less favorable economic location. Since then, the previous facility has been transformed into a gallery, showcasing the works of different artists.
Bürgerspital
The Bürgerspital, situated on Michaelerplatz 2 in the Steyr district of Steyrdorf, has a rich history that dates back to the early 14th century.The old hospital church (now the vicarage) was built in 1500.
The facility on the site of today’s public hospital has a long history, dating back to the 13th century, when it was established to provide care for the aged, sick, or destitute residents.In 1305, Elisabeth von Görz und Tirol, lord of Steyr, sponsored the reconstruction of the building after it was destroyed by fire in 1302.Wealthy citizens also established endowments, including farms and vineyards.The hospital had a capacity of only 32 patients at that time.Otto Scheck, the Burgrave, granted him the Hofmühle (also known as Spitalmühle) located near the mouth of the Steyr River in 1323.The civic hospital was under the ruler’s administration until approximately 1407.The construction of a late Gothic church took place in 1500, which later underwent conversion into a suburban parish in 1785/86.The tower’s baroque finish also dates back to the 18th century.
The Bürgerspital underwent significant renovations from the 16th century until 1761.In the twentieth century, there was an internal repair in 1924, a renovation in 1952, and a comprehensive outward makeover in 1978.The restoration project from March to October 2011 encompassed more than just the façade. It also included the floors, vault, and roof, resulting in a comprehensive renovation.The roof structure was reconstructed while preserving the historic purlins and rafters, with only the battens being replaced.The red plain tiles used on the north side of the roof have a history dating back up to 400 years.The result of the repair work is a jumbled image, with bricks of different shapes and weathered appearances.Most of this has disappeared.The roof was given a unique touch by arranging new plain tiles of different shapes in a random pattern, preventing it from becoming monotonous.
