Burgruine Rabenstein

The Burgruine Rabenstein stands on a wooded hill north of the Mellitz hamlet in Virgen, East Tyrol. It rises at 1,410 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest castles in the region. Built in the 12th century, it served for centuries as the seat of the local administrator before falling into disuse after 1703. A partial collapse in 1963 prompted major stabilisation work that preserved its present condition. Covering 4,800 square metres, it ranks as the third-largest medieval castle complex in Tyrol. The castle first appears in records from 1182 or 1183, linked to Rudolf von Virgen under Salzburg’s rule. After changing hands several times, it was finally ceded to Salzburg in 1252 under a peace treaty. The chapel, dedicated to Saint Leonard, received a chaplaincy in 1333. Later owners included the Haller Damenstift, which held the local court until 1783. By the 18th century the structure had become unsafe and was abandoned. Visitors today find the remains of the palas, whose heated rooms once stood on several storeys. The north wall still bears faded frescoes from the chapel. The Pfaffenstöckl, a three-storey annex, shelters well-preserved murals on its upper floor. Only the northern sections of the ring wall remain, while the southern parts collapsed long ago. A short walk from Mellitz leads up to the site, offering quiet views over the surrounding valleys.