Society changed in the 18th century: the nobility that had ruled until then was gradually ousted by bourgeois businesspeople. Whilst the nobility had flaunted their power and wealth with splendid castles, the businesspeople now did so by building stately houses.
Haus Orley is a good example of that change. Whilst the castle above the house gradually became more and more dilapidated, the Orley family erected a magnificent building at the foot of it. The family coat of arms and the year of its erection, 1747, are to be seen above the baroque door frame in Recht slate. Given the conditions at that time, Haus Orley can be described as a luxurious house: it had toilet facilities, a heating system and particularly large windows. Even the red paint on the façade was costly and documented the social status of the Orley family. All these details were unusual at that time and cost a good deal of money. The house was built in quarry stone and then rendered. The frames of the windows and doors were made in Recht slate. The cellar, a fireplace in the kitchen, and numerous panels in the interior are presumed to have come from a previous building.
