The History of the Grammar School

 ’Hohe Schule’ 

Loosdorf, Melk/ Danube,  Austria

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The Grammar School ’Hohe Schule’ was founded in 1574 by    the Losenstein family. This was an important family in this region since the 12^th century. The first plans for this school were made by Christoph II of Losenstein.  He had inherited the castle Schallaburg from his uncle, the knight Sebastian of Losenstein, one of the first followers of the new Lutheran teachings. Christoph II married Christina of Montfort, a daughter of a Polish princess and lady-in-waiting of the Austrian queen. He was highly esteemed at the royal court and got the title of royal, and later of imperial counsellor.

The castle Schallaburg was best fit as the centre of his possessions, because of his frequent visits to Vienna. He extended the castle Schallaburg and acquired the rights of the parish church of Loosdorf. He planned the rebuilding of this church, which had suffered much under the Turkish invasion in 1529. He also planned the building of a Lutheran grammar school in order to prepare the youth of the nobility for the university. He couldn’ t realize the latter plan, because he died unexpectedly in Prague in 1558.

His two sons inherited his possessions. One of them Hans Wilhelm inherited the Schallaburg and Loosdorf.  He renovated the castle Schallaburg in Renaissance style, rebuilt the parish church of Loosdorf, and built the Grammar School ’Hohe Schule’ which was finished in 1574. 

Because of all his building activity he got into financial  problems as of 1580 and had to sell some of his properties. Both his marriages remained without children. In 1601 he died and was buried in the parish church of Loosdorf, built by him.

His nephew Georg Christoph inherited the castle Schallaburg and the huge debts of 120,000 guilder. He married Anna of Stubenberg, who came from Styria in Southern Austria. Her father paid all the debts. But Georg Christoph died young.

 Georg of Stubenberg took over the castle Schallaburg and Loosdorf, which was managed from Styria. Although the 30-year war was fought elsewhere, the castle Schallaburg suffered from plundering by imperial troops that had relieved the besiege of the Monastery Melk at the Danube by rebellious protestants from Upper Austria in 1619. The Emperor and the Catholic belief ended as victors and which was the start of difficult times for the Protestant religion. The Grammar School  ’Hohe Schule’ was closed in 1627 and George of Stubenberg left Austria because of his Lutheran belief. He sold his possessions to Georg junior and Wolf of Stubenberg. The ’Hohe Schule’ didn’t function as a school and has changed owners several times. It remained in possession of nobility until the beginning of the 20^th century.