Within these walls of Schloss Seeburg, whispers of noble families and artistic brilliance linger. Schloss Seeburg is located in Seekirchen am Wallersee in Salzburg. It dates back to the 15th century. Imagine this very site long ago. It stood directly on the shore of Wallersee before the lake was lowered in 1890.
The first recorded lords of Seeburg were administrators in service to the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. Ulrich von Dachsberg from Aspach, Innviertel, is mentioned in old chronicles in 1429. He was likely the castle’s builder. The sons of Ulrich, Wilhelm and Heinrich, shared the castle. They also took its name.
In 1483, Heinrich von Dachsberg became the highest administrative official. He was Hofmarschall at the Prince-Archbishop’s court. Bernhard von Dachsberg took over the Urbarämter in 1508. He became Lord of Seeburg. He is known for disputes over rights with Virgil Graf von Überacker. The feud was so intense that a legend arose.
The legend says that the Dachsberger illegally killed a stag. He ordered his servants to bury the skin. Virgil von Überacker planned to imprison the Dachsberger in an iron ring with long spikes. The Dachsberger planned to imprison Virgil von Überacker in a dungeon with iron spikes. Fortunately, neither man succeeded in capturing the other. Letters exist showing insults and accusations between the two. Their followers engaged in a gang war. The defenseless peasants suffered the most.
In 1569, Dietrich von Dachsberg died childless. This ended the Dachsberg line. Dietrich’s sister Elise married Wolf Adam von Haunsperg. They took over the office and residence in Seeburg.
Around 1600, the Haunsperger’s Urbaramt was dissolved. Schloss Seeburg became a summer or family seat for foreign counts. In 1752, Ernst Maria Friedrich von Lodron and his wife Antonia von Arco bought Schloss Seeburg. The castle was completely rebuilt in the Rococo style. The chapel was enlarged. Gennaro Basile painted the altar depicting Saints Friedrich and Rupert.
Hieronimus Graf von Lodron was a patron of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Michael Haydn in 1779. Mozart visited Schloss Seeburg. The castle saw its most glorious days.
In 1825, Schloss Seeburg was auctioned. Graf Lodron lost his property in the Napoleonic Wars. Dismas von Wiederwald acquired the Seeburg. In 1849, Laurenz Ibertsberger acquired Schloss Seeburg. In 1850, the Seeburg was raised by one story. From 1850 onwards, 30 pensioners lived in the Seeburg.
From 1940 to 1945, it housed the Hitler Youth. From 1947 to 1977, the castle was home to 60 secondary school students. Since 2007, Schloss Seeburg has been the location of the private University Schloss Seeburg.
The rectangular ring wall has four round corner towers. There is an artificial moat. A stone bridge leads to the arched gate. The rectangular castle building has a basement with a main entrance. The third floor was added in 1850. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Rupert of Salzburg. It was rebuilt in 1752. Gennaro Basile painted the ceiling in 1755.
Today, Schloss Seeburg houses the registry office Seekirchen. It also houses the private University Schloss Seeburg. It is owned by the town of Seekirchen am Wallersee. Schloss Seeburg is popular for weddings. A Fitpoint with mini-golf, a barefoot path, and a Kneipp pool surrounds the castle.
From administrative hub to noble residence and now a center of learning, Schloss Seeburg stands as a testament to time. It reflects the changing tides of history.