Burg Hardegg

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Castle Hardegg

The Hardegg Castle is a castle in Lower Austria. It is located in the city Hardegg in the Thaya Valley.

History

1145 was the first mention of Hardegg in a deed of Elizabeth of Schleunz, as witness the donation Otto de Hardeck is headed. However, there was previously a small weir. The first owners were the Counts of Plain and Hardegg. After this generation died out, the castle is different owners, as the Magdeburg- Hardegger. Among them, the castle was substantially extended, until it was one of the largest in the country. It is a tower, a palace and a chapel were built. She served as the administrative center of the county Hardegg which is detectable from 1294. Towards the end of the 15th century the county Hardegg was even rich immediately. The power of the lords of the castle was based on numerous knightly retinue in the places of interest; Main locations managed by Hardegg from county were Pulkau and Retz, founded between 1280/1305. After the death of the childless Michaels Imperial Count of Hardegg, Viscount of Magdeburg, the castle came into the possession of the Habsburgs, which they in 1499 to the heirs of Magdeburg, the brothers Prüschenk, Freiherr von Stetten Mountain, Erbmundschenken the Enns, the Steward in Styria, passed on. At the same time, the two were appointed imperial counts to Hardegg and Machland. 1501 acquired by Ulrich Hardegg of his later -in-law Albrecht, Karl and Georg von Münsterberg the County of Glatz, and thus also the title of Count of Glatz. 1502 were Henry and Sigmund the silver mint money.

Mid-17th century the castle changed owners again and finally came into the possession of Khevenhüller -Metsch. Since then, she has hardly been lived in and fell into disrepair. When you fire the city Hardegg in 1764 the inhabitants were allowed to use stones and wood of the castle to rebuild their homes.

From 1878 on, let Johann Carl Prince Khevenhüller -Metsch, who was also known as campaigners Emperor Maximilian of Mexico against the troops of the Republican Mexican government to build the fortress again and also add a family tomb. The plans provided Gangolf Carl Kayser, who was an imperial 1864-1867 " court architect " in Mexico over the years. In honor of Emperor Maximilian is a museum in the castle.

Pictures

Environment

Neighbouring Castles are the castle Rieger castle, castle Kaja, the Fronsburg Castle and the Czech Republic, Novy Hradek Ruin ( Neuhäusel ).