Burg Stein im Drautal: A Medieval Rock Castle in Austria

Visitor Information

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Official Website: schloss-stein.com

Country: Austria

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Burg Stein im Drautal is a medieval rock castle located in the municipality of Stein in present-day Austria. It was constructed during the late 12th century by German-speaking settlers and first entered historical records around 1190, when it belonged to Haidenrich de Lapide, a ministerial serving the Counts of Ortenburg.

Throughout the 13th century, ownership of the castle shifted to the Meinhardiner dynasty, known as the Counts of Görz. By 1440, the Counts of Cilli controlled the site, but their tenure was relatively brief. In 1456, the castle and its lordship passed into the hands of the Habsburgs, the influential territorial princes who would dominate large parts of Central Europe.

At the dawn of the 16th century, Emperor Maximilian I granted the estate to Virgil von Graben and his son Lukas von Graben zum Stein. This family maintained stewardship of the castle for more than 150 years, until 1664, when the male line concluded with Christof David von Graben zum Stein. Following his death, a contested inheritance arose involving relatives from the Tyrolean Von Graben line and members of the Lamberg family. Due to inheritance laws favoring direct male heirs, the Lamberg family’s claim, based on female descent, was unsuccessful, and the property reverted to Habsburg control.

Only a few years later, in 1668, the Habsburgs sold Burg Stein to Balthasar von Beverellis. By 1681, ownership transferred to the Orsini-Rosenberg family, descendants of the Von Graben, who have retained possession of the castle to the present day. Throughout these transitions, the castle remained a noble seat but was not opened for public access.

Remains

Burg Stein im Drautal is perched on a steep rocky outcrop approximately 200 meters above the valley floor of the Upper Drau Valley. Its construction takes full advantage of the natural elevation on the southern bank of the Drau River, between the towns of Oberdrauburg and Dellach im Drautal. The fortress was built in a medieval style typical of the late 12th century, employing robust stone masonry that blends with the rugged terrain.

A defining element of the castle is the main tower, or bergfried, standing about 15 meters tall. This square-shaped tower was originally a self-contained defensive structure, separated from the main residential building known as the palas. It connected to the palas by a wooden bridge, underscoring its role as a last refuge in times of siege. Although part of this tower is now ruined, its upper sections remain accessible and serve as an elevated viewpoint overlooking the valley.

Within the castle complex, an architectural highlight is the double chapel situated in the northeast corner. Dating from the 15th century, this feature consists of two Romanesque-style chapels stacked vertically and linked by an opening that allows passage between the two floors. The lower chapel is dedicated to Saint Valentine, while the upper one honors Saint Martin. The upper chapel’s decorations were crafted by Bartlmä Firtaler, while both chapels display finely carved statues and walls adorned with frescoes by Simon von Taisten, a late Gothic artist from South Tyrol. These artistic elements showcase the religious importance and artistic patronage associated with the castle’s inhabitants.

Today, the majority of the castle’s original medieval structures remain in situ, though some areas show signs of wear and partial ruin. Notwithstanding these changes, the bergfried and double chapel continue to stand as prominent reminders of Burg Stein’s historical and architectural heritage.