Schloss Lichtenau is a fortified castle located approximately two kilometers northeast of Haslach an der Mühl in Upper Austria's Mühlviertel region, overlooking the Große Mühl river from a landscape garden with mature trees. Originally founded as a fortress in the early 13th century, it was converted into a Renaissance castle in the early 17th century by the Herleinsperger family, who invested significantly in its architectural development. The castle's current structure comprises multiple buildings arranged around a trapezoidal courtyard, with the best-preserved sections being the entrance wing and a tower-like Palas featuring a Renaissance hall with distinctive barrel vaulting. Reconstructed since 1965 following World War II damage, it now remains in private ownership as a significant example of Upper Austrian medieval and Renaissance fortified architecture.
