# Schloss Herberstein

- **Country:** Austria
- **Coordinates:** 47.219167, 15.812500

Schloss Herberstein is a historic castle located in Sankt Johann bei Herberstein within the Styria region of Austria. Perched atop a rock in the Feistritz ravine at an elevation of 450 meters, the fortress benefits from natural defenses that render it inaccessible from three sides and invisible to potential attackers below. The site's origins trace back to the 12th century with the construction of the initial small castle known as Herwigstein. Over the centuries, the structure evolved significantly, expanding by 1400 to include a massive outer bailey and a Gothic chapel. During the mid-16th century, it was transformed into a residential building featuring Renaissance elements, while the 17th century saw the addition of a magnificent banqueting hall, deep moats, and the Florentinerhof, which was modeled after Italian architecture.

Historically, the castle served as the seat of the powerful Counts of Herberstein, who once possessed approximately one-fifth of Styria and collected tribute from roughly one thousand farms. Today, the property remains under the ownership of the Herberstein family, functioning as both a private residence and an administrative center. While management of its associated attractions recently shifted to a state-owned entity following legal controversies involving former leadership, the estate continues to operate as a major cultural destination. Visitors can access guided tours of selected castle areas, explore historic gardens, and view the Gironcoli Museum, which showcases works by contemporary Austrian artist Bruno Gironcoli.

The grounds are perhaps best known for the Herberstein Zoo, which boasts a long tradition of keeping wild animals dating back to the 17th century when fallow deer were first kept in Austria. Officially converted into a public zoo in the late 1960s, it now features animals from all five continents and holds the distinction of having the largest cheetah park in Europe. This unique enclosure utilizes a remodeled ski-lift system to simulate hunting conditions for the cheetahs. The combination of medieval architecture, aristocratic history, and modern wildlife conservation makes Schloss Herberstein a distinctive landmark in the Austrian landscape.

![Photo of Schloss Herberstein](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Steiermark_Schloss_Herberstein_2.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Herberstein (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)