Schloss Starhemberg, Eferding

Starhemberg Castle, also known as Eferding Castle, stands in the center of the Upper Austrian town of Eferding and, with the exception of a brief interruption between 1630 and 1660, has been owned by the princely Starhemberg family for about 450 years.

In the 12th century, an official residence of the bishopric of Passau stood on the same site, which was sold to the counts of Schaunberg in the 14th century. They had today's north wing built, which was preceded by a small outer castle in the south in the 16th century. After the extinction of the Schaunbergs in the 16th century, their heirs, the Starhembergs, had the former castle expanded and remodeled into a chateau before the complex was altered for the last time during the 18th century in the style of classicism. The current owner of the estate is the ninth Prince of Starhemberg, Georg Adam.

Starhemberg Castle is a member of the Austrian association Via Imperalis, which is concerned with the promotion and preservation of European cultural heritage. In addition to a private library, the castle buildings house three museums dealing with the history of Eferding and the castle owners. In addition, the complex has been used as a cultural center since 1987, hosting numerous public events.