Ehrenhausen Castle sits dramatically on a steep hill high above the Mur river and the town of Ehrenhausen in southern Styria. With its well-preserved fortifications and Renaissance details, it's a rewarding stop for anyone exploring the Leibnitz district.

The hilltop location offers sweeping views over the Mur valley and the surrounding vineyard-covered hills, especially beautiful in autumn when the slopes turn golden. The castle itself is an irregular, three-story four-wing building around an arcaded courtyard, anchored by a 12th-century keep that hints at its medieval military origins. Just a short walk away on the same hill stands the mausoleum of Ruprecht von Eggenberg, adding another layer of history to the site.

How to get there

• From Ehrenhausen town center — short, steep climb, approx. 15-20 minutes, easy to moderate difficulty

Good to know

• The castle remains privately owned, currently belonging to the Csicsaky family
• The nearby mausoleum has been owned by the state of Styria since 1920

An interesting footnote: the last owner to actually live out his days here was the resigned Archbishop of Olomouc, Theodor Kohn, who was later buried in the mausoleum on the hill.