Description of the attraction
Hech Castle is located near the Altenmarkt (Old Market) in Pongau on a gentle stone terrace 975 meters above sea level southwest of Flachau. Hech Castle was built in the 11th century, but was first mentioned in written sources in 1208.
Heh Castle is famous for being owned by only four families in more than 800 years of its existence. From 1392 to 1608, the Hech estate belonged to the Kelderer gentlemen. The history of this family can be learned in more detail from the memorial tablets installed in the corridor leading to Taufkapella from the nave of the parish church on the Altenmarkt in Pongau. In 1608, the Hech castle was inherited by the great-nephew of the last member of the Kelderer family Karl Jocher, a wealthy merchant. His son Adam ordered to replace all the doors in the castle with more powerful, wooden ones. It was he who invested in the reconstruction of the castle. Under Adam Jocher, this mansion received its current appearance and was not rebuilt again. The three-story palace, built in the shape of a horseshoe, had a luxurious interior. Adam's daughter married Johann Rudolf Frehern von Platz of Thurn, whose descendants were the owners of the castle. Gentlemen von Platz during this time managed to receive the title of count.
In 1989, Hech Castle was bought by Alois Roormoser, who had been in charge of it for only 10 years, and then sold the mansion to the mayor of Pongau, who concluded a sale and purchase transaction on behalf of all residents of this settlement. The cost of the castle was 28, 75 million shillings (more than two million euros). The city acquired a castle with 44 hectares of surrounding meadows. In 2002, the roof of the building was renovated. Five years later, the reconstruction of the entire building took place, which cost two million euros. Since then, the castle has been used as a venue for various cultural events.
