Weißenstein Castle

Felbertauernstraße AG (FAG) purchased Weißenstein Castle near Matrei in 2020, following the death of its previous owner, Jörg Demus. Two of the three owners immediately agreed to the sale, and the third share was also acquired, although this was more complicated due to the probate proceedings. The 12th-century castle, which until now could only be viewed from the outside, is to be opened to the public after renovation work. In addition to the castle, the site also includes 15 hectares of strategically important land that FAG needs for its projects. A resolution by the FAG supervisory board and approval by the federal government have been obtained, with the purchase price being announced after the acquisition of the last share.

The original fortifications of Weißenstein Castle comprised a keep-like tower, a polygonal broken curtain wall with a chapel, a great hall, and a kitchen wing. The Laurentius Chapel was located on the ground floor of the south tower, but its valuable contents were stolen in 1640. Remains of frescoes by the artist Simon von Taisten can still be found on the outer wall of the chapel. In the 19th century, the castle was converted into a hotel, whereby a Romanesque chapel from the 12th century was built over and only rediscovered later. The old bathtubs and bathrooms bear witness to the castle’s use as a fashionable wellness facility at that time.