Short info:
- Where is the Riegersburg? In the thermal and volcanic region of Southeast Styria. Address for GPS: Riegersburg 1, 8333 Riegersburg.
- How long does it take to go to the castle? It takes about 20 minutes on foot. There is also an elevator
- When is it open and how much does it cost to enter? It is closed between November and March. You can find all opening times and prices here.
- How much time should I schedule? We recommend at least 3-4 hours
The Riegersburg is a hilltop castle in the village of the same name, Riegersburg. The almost 900-year-old castle towers proudly and powerfully on the 482-metre-high volcanic rock. The Riegersburg has 7 gates, 11 bastions, 4 kilometers of defensive walls and 2 moats. In all the centuries of its existence, the Riegersburg could never be conquered. Today the castle is a perfect destination for young and old. In any case, plan enough time, because there is enough to experience. Even though the castle is near the Zotter chocolate factory, visiting both destinations in one day could be overly ambitious 😉
Getting there
Public with the RegioBus line 406. There is a large visitor car park for cars and buses directly at the valley station of the Burglift. From the parking lot you walk about 5 minutes up to the entrance.
Tickets
There are different types of tickets depending on how much you want to see.
- Outside
- Outside and inside
- Outdoor, indoor and birds of prey flight show
There are also guides and audio guides. You can find all prices here.
Through the castle complex up to the castle
By elevator
If the ascent is too difficult for you, you can also use an inclined lift that was reached here in 2003. The panorama lift is located on the north side of the castle hill and offers space for 20 people. The journey takes about a minute.
On foot
A steep ascent in the immediate vicinity of the Riegersburg parish church takes you past the Steinkellertor, and a little later the Cillitor or Burgertor. The path is not suitable for wheelchair users or prams.
In order to make the path more exciting for children, there is a small scavenger hunt for young visitors on the castle hill with the castle ghost Rüdiger. This one has hidden 6 things. If you find all of them, you get a small reward in the castle shop above.
Again and again you have a beautiful view of the town of Riegersburg.
Over a narrow section of the path you reach the medieval horse pond, shortly afterwards the mighty Annentor and after a climb the Lichteneckertor. The first four castle gates are attributed to master builder Bartholomäus Ebner and were built between 1678 and 1690.
A long paved path leads through the free-standing pyramid gate to the high plateau with its vineyards.
Here you will also find the castle tavern, where small dishes, snacks and drinks are available. The self-service tavern offers space for 150 people, the spacious guest garden for 300 people. The highlight for families is the beautifully designed children’s playground. From here you have a great view of the southeast Styrian hills
Climb
Since 2011, a section of the castle hill can also be climbed via the Leopold via ferrata along the castle rock. The entrance is after the first bend in the Burgweg.
The castle
The outer moat has been drawn around the so-called outer bailey, which houses the former armory and provision house. You enter the Wenzel Gate over a wooden bridge. After that is the shop. Here you can buy your ticket for the inside of the castle.
The high castle of the castle complex bears the name Kronegg. It is a two- or three-storey building complex, which is laid out around two elongated inner courtyards. The predominant architectural style is that of the late Baroque and late Renaissance. You can move freely within the castle and visit the rooms as you wish.
You can see, among other things, the fountain courtyard, which is named after the fountain created in 1640 and decorated with a wrought-iron arbor.
There is a small chapel next to the entrance to the Kronegg Castle. Inside Kronegg, the prince’s room, the bed of the well-known lady of the castle, called the Gallerin, the picture room, the Roman room and the Turkish room are particularly worth mentioning.
The knight’s hall is worth seeing. A real highlight is the White Hall, a baroque summer dining room.
The witch museum is also extremely interesting. Here it is vividly shown how witches and wizards were denounced, persecuted, tortured, sentenced and burned in the 17th century.
There is also a weapons museum, which shows armor, shields, cut and thrust weapons, rifles and pistols from 400 years of history.
Bird of prey show
See golden eagles, eagle owls, griffon vultures, short-toed eagles, bald eagles, buzzards, common ravens, turkey vultures, snowy owls, kites and more. You experience the animals in the wild, because there are no guarantees that they will really come and want to do flight maneuvers and dives (but usually they do 😉)
Flight shows daily (except in case of heavy rain):
Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m
Sunday and public holidays: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m
Admission to the respective flight demonstration at the earliest ½ hour before the start!