Kapfenberg

Kapfenberg lies on the Mürz in Upper Styria, below the castle of Oberkapfenberg. The Stubenberg family built the stronghold to watch the valley, and a settlement grew beneath it. A toll station supported the upkeep of the road and two bridges; Kapfenberg was recorded as a market in 1256. From 1446 hammer mills worked iron brought from Vordernberg, using water power and charcoal from nearby forests.

In 1526 the Stubenbergs granted the market's citizens the right to elect twelve councillors and a market judge. Members of the family and many inhabitants became Protestant, bringing conflict with the Catholic territorial rulers. During the Counter-Reformation Georg von Stubenberg left for Regensburg in 1629. Improvement of the Semmering road in 1728 later benefited Kapfenberg's crafts and toll revenues.