Schloss Spielberg, Styria

Schloss Spielberg, also known as Schloss Arbesser, stands in the town of Spielberg in the Murtal district of Styria. Built in 1570, it gave its name to the surrounding municipality. Originally called only for the estate around it, the title Spielberg later spread to the whole community. The castle’s origins remain unclear, though its archives once held revealing letters from the mid-18th century. The estate has been home to several noble families, including the Teufenbacher, Heinrichsperger and Lachawitz lines. Since the early 19th century it has belonged to the Arbesser-Rastburg family. Their stewardship preserved the Verwalterkorrespondenz, one of the clearest records of rural life in Upper Styria at that time. Visitors find a solid Renaissance building with later additions. Inside, the rooms still reflect the tastes of its aristocratic owners. The surrounding park offers quiet walks and distant views of the Murtal countryside. The castle’s archives remain a key source for historians studying the region’s past.