The castle is over 1000 years old and was first documented in 979 when Otto II. gave the land between the two Erlauf rivers to Bishop Wolfgang von Regensburg.  It was then given by subsequent bishops as feudal tenure to various nobel men one of which was Albrecht von Hals.  In 1524 Wolfgang von Oed, Ferdinand I’s cup bearer bought the castle – his crest can be found over the entrance to the tower.  He was responsible for a lot of changes and additions,  for instance in the inner courtyard one can see the original frescos above the arched arcades.  There is also the late gothic spiral staircase with an ornate stone lunette dating from the early renaissance above the entrance door.  The inscription IVE 1561 on one of the stone columns is in memory of Wofgang’s grand daughter Judith von Edth = Oedt.

The Auerspergs first came to live at Ernegg in 1656.  The crest above the portal confirms this date.  Sigmund Erasmus Baron of Auersperg bought it off the Neudegg brothers, and has been in the family ever since.

Originally the castle was built with 4 towers and a moat.  Today’s architecture stems mainly from the 16th century and shows a trapezoid shape, a large courtyard with arcades, a centre tower and a belfry spire.  On the outside of the spire one can still see the pretence squared stonework from the 17th centuary.  A fire in 1836 destroyed the roofs but didn’t damage the stone walls. The castle was then restored by Josef Auersperg.

The chapel of St Bartholomew was created in 1330, which was lovingly restored and consecreated again in 2002 ennabeling private weddings to take place again in the castle grounds.

The castle has passed through many generations of Auerspergs.  Countess Hilda Auersperg Lee and her daughter Georgina Auersperg Newall currently run the castle and estate, they are constantly restoring it yet manage to maintain the original charm of this historic and beautiful building.

Georgina  Auersperg Newall