Schloss Alt-Kainach

About the museum

Schloss Alt-Kainach lies north of Bärnbach in western Styria and goes back to a defensive tower of the 12th/13th century. It acquired its present form as a three-storey Renaissance building with a high hipped roof in the 16th and 17th centuries; it is regarded as the last surviving fortification of a whole series of castles that once guarded an important traffic junction.

From 1880 the building served as housing for miners, and in the early 1960s it was close to demolition. In 1966 the Styrian Castle Association took over the castle, had it carefully restored and in 1972 set up a Museum of Castle Studies.

Using photographs, drawings and numerous models of Styrian castles, the museum conveys the fundamentals of castle studies; a separate room tells the history of the castle itself. Also on view are the two-storey castle chapel dedicated to Saint Florian with its Baroque altar, the Knights' Hall with paintings by the Styrian painter Albert Pohl, and the archaeological exhibition “Rund um den Heiligen Berg” (Around the Holy Mountain), shown since 1985, with finds, Roman stones and marble from the Voitsberg district.

Highlights

• Models of Styrian castles and palaces
• Museum of Castle Studies since 1972
• Two-storey castle chapel with Baroque altar
• Knights' Hall with paintings by Albert Pohl
• Archaeological exhibition “Rund um den Heiligen Berg”

Permanent exhibitions

• Burgenkundliches Museum – Models, drawings and photographs on the development of Styrian castles and palaces, plus a room on the history of Alt-Kainach.
• Rund um den Heiligen Berg – Archaeological finds, Roman stones and marble from the Voitsberg district on the ground floor of the castle.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Steirischer Burgenverein

Director

Ernst Lasnik (Kurator)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the tourist information office, the castle is not wheelchair accessible; toilet available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Tours geared to children and school pupils; on Heritage Day (Tag des Denkmals) the Altkainach Knighthood organises its own children's programme.

Getting there & parking

According to Heritage Day information, parking is available, but there is no public transport connection.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

According to Steiermark Tourismus, the castle is used for civil wedding ceremonies and concerts.

Plan your visit