At the beginning of the 13th century, Hadmar II of Kuenring had the castle town of Weitra built. Since its founding, Weitra held the central military, administrative, judicial, and ecclesiastical functions in the so-called "Districtus Witrensis" (District of Witrensis). It was also a central market town and refuge in times of war. In the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt into a magnificent Renaissance palace according to plans by Pietro Ferrabosco.
In 1994, the palace was renovated by Prince Johannes zu Fürstenberg and opened to the public.