They were likely created by a northern Italian artist on the occasion of the then owner, Ferdinand Hoffman's, wedding to Margarete von Harrach in 1563.

The mighty rectangular construction with (roofed) courts and a high tower accommodates a significant interior decoration (1670 to 1673) with frescoes by Carpoforo Tencalla in the first floor.

After the Second World War the Styrian Youth Hostel Association (Jugendherbergswerk) acquired the palace and managed it until 1983.

The palace holds a permanent show collection of about 1000 exhibits dealing with both the natural and the cultural history of the Ennstal Valley as well as the Ausseerland region.

The church was established by the lords of Schloss Trautenfels but fell victim shortly thereafter to the particularly potent Counter-Reformation in the Duchy of Styria.