Schloss Herberstein

About the museum

The core of the castle is a two-storey palas and a keep dating from the early 12th century. In 1290 the Herberstein family acquired the fortress above the Feistritz; for more than 700 years and roughly two dozen generations it has been their ancestral seat. The family produced five Styrian provincial governors as well as diplomats, officers and scholars; it was granted the title of count in 1644.

Over some 400 years of construction, the fortress grew into a residential castle: the Gothic St Catherine's Chapel was built around 1370, a massive outer bailey by 1403, and in the 16th century, under “Georg the Broad”, the south wing with its cannon tower and the Florentine Courtyard. The Knights' Hall, with a stucco ceiling designed by Alessandro Serenio and a papal fireplace gift of 1615, is still used as a ceremonial hall today; the Meierhof farm building (1663) and the gardener's house (1690) completed the building phases.

The castle rooms with the exhibition “Life in the Castle” can be seen on guided tours; the cellar rooms with the exhibition on building history, the Florentine Courtyard and the inner courtyard are also freely accessible. In the former Meierhof, an exhibition shows the work on the estate farm with original tools, and since the STEIERMARK SCHAU 2023 the barn has housed the “House of Biodiversity”. The Gironcoli Museum, which was located here from 2004 to 2022, is no longer in Herberstein.

The castle, the Historic Garden designed by Maria Auböck and the Feistritz Gorge lie on a shared site with Tierwelt Herberstein and can be visited with a single combined ticket.

Highlights

• Castle tour through rooms from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods
• Knights' Hall with stucco ceiling and fireplace of 1615
• Arcaded courtyard and Florentine Courtyard
• Exhibition on building history in the cellar rooms
• Dairy farm exhibition on work on the estate farm
• Historic garden with colour gardens and rose pavilion

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben im Schloss – An insight into the everyday life, domestic culture and working areas of the castle's inhabitants, which can be seen on the castle tour.
• Baugeschichte in den Kellerräumen – Exhibition on the 400-year development from fortress to castle in the vaults, also accessible without a tour.
• Wenn die Arbeit Früchte trägt – Exhibition in the former Meierhof on the estate farm, garden and crafts, with numerous original tools.

Founded

1300

Operated by

Herberstein Tier- und Naturpark Schloss Herberstein OG

Admission & discounts

Rates valid from 29 January 2026. The ticket is valid for the entire site: castle tour, Historic Garden, current exhibitions, circular trail through the Feistritz Gorge, House of Biodiversity and Tierwelt Herberstein; there is no single ticket for the castle alone. Dogs on a short leash are permitted outdoors, but not in the castle rooms.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of its location and the historic building fabric, the site is only partially accessible. Wheelchair users have free admission.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Holiday programme “Spuki's Puzzle Journey” with the castle ghost (ages 7–11), school programmes as a knight or detective, quiz in the Herberstein app. Indoor playground “Herbie's Spielewelt” (extra charge) with children's birthday party packages.

Getting there & parking

By car from Graz take the Gleisdorf West exit, from Vienna the Hartberg exit, then follow the signs to Tierwelt Herberstein.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurants and snack stations on the shared site with Tierwelt Herberstein (according to the Herberstein app). Picnic areas in the gorge and around the castle.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 170 guests.

Banquet halls, arcaded courtyard, Baroque castle chapel, gardens and gorge meadow for weddings (up to 170 guests), corporate and anniversary celebrations, seminars and photo shoots; overnight stays in suites in the castle are possible.

Plan your visit