Riegersburg

Brief information about Riegersburg:

• Where is the Riegersburg? In the thermal and volcanic region of southeast Styria. Address for sat nav: 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. Here you can find all Opening hours and prices.
• How much time should I allow? We recommend at least 3-4 hours

The Riegersburg is a hilltop castle in the town of the same name, Riegersburg. The almost 900-year-old castle stands proudly and mightily on the 482-meter-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 has never been conquered. Today, the castle is a perfect day trip destination for young and old. Be sure to plan enough time, because there is plenty to experience. Even though the castle is close to the Zotter chocolate factory, visiting both destinations in one day might be overambitious.

Getting to Riegersburg

Public transport with the RegioBus line 406. For cars and buses there is a large visitor parking lot directly at the valley station of the castle lift. From the parking lot it is about a 5-minute walk 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 grounds up to the castle

By elevator
If the climb is too strenuous, you can also use an inclined elevator that was installed here in 2003. The panoramic elevator is located on the north side of the castle hill and has space for 20 people. The ride takes about a minute.

On foot
A steep climb close to 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 strollers.

To make the journey more exciting for children, there is a little scavenger hunt for young visitors on the castle hill with the castle ghost Rüdiger. He has hidden 6 things. If you find them all, you will receive a small reward in the castle shop upstairs.

Again and again you have a beautiful view of the town of Riegersburg.

A narrow path takes you to the medieval horse pond, shortly afterwards the mighty Annentor and, after a climb, the Lichteneckertor. The first four castle gates are attributed to the master builder Bartholomäus Ebner and were built between 1678 and 1690.

By the freestanding pyramid gate A long paved path takes you to the high plateau with its vineyards.

Here you will also find the Castle Tavern, where small meals, snacks and drinks are available. The self-service tavern has space for 150 people, the spacious garden for 300 people. The highlight for families is the beautifully landscaped children's playground. From here you have a great view of the south-east Styrian hills.

Climbing
Since 2011, a section of the castle hill can also be accessed via the Leopold Via Ferrata along the castle rock. The entrance is after the first bend in the castle path.

The RiegersBurg

The outer moat is located around the so-called outer bailey, which houses the former armory and provisions house. You enter the Wenzel Gate over a wooden bridge. After that you will find the shop. Here you can buy your ticket for the interior of the castle.

The upper castle of the castle complex is called Kronegg. It is a two- or three-storey building complex that is arranged around two long courtyards. The predominant architectural style is late Baroque and late Renaissance. You can move freely within the castle and visit the rooms as you please.

One of the things you can see is the Brunnenhof, 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 Kronegg Castle. Inside Kronegg, the most notable features are the Prince's Room, the bed of the famous castle mistress, known as the Gallerin, the picture room, the Roman Room and the Turkish Room.

The Knights’ Hall is worth seeing. A real highlight is the White Hall, a baroque summer dining room.

Also extremely interesting is the Witch MuseumHere you can see how witches and sorcerers were denounced, persecuted, tortured, convicted and burned in the 17th century.

There is also a Weapons Museum, which displays armor, shields, cutting and stabbing weapons, rifles and pistols from 400 years of history.

Birds of Prey Show

Here you can see golden eagles, eagle owls, griffon vultures, short-toed eagles, bald eagles, buzzards, ravens, turkey vultures, snowy owls, kites and more. You can experience the animals in the wild, as there is no guarantee that they will actually come and want to perform flying maneuvers and dives (but usually they do).

Flight demonstrations daily (except in 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 each flight demonstration at the earliest ½ hour before the start!