Kreuzenstein Castle

Leobendorf, Austria

Kreuzenstein castle was constructed on the remains of an early medieval castle that had fallen into disrepair and was then demolished during the Thirty Years' War. Intended to be a family vault for the Wilczek family, it was rebuilt in the 19th century by Count Nepomuk Wilczek with money from the family's large Silesian coal mines. Kreuzenstein is interesting in that it was constructed out of sections of medieval structures purchased by the family from all over Europe to form an authentic-looking castle.

The origins of Kreuzenstein, like most castles in Lower Austria, date back to the 12th century. Originally built by the Counts of Formbach (now Vornbach, Bavaria), the castle passed into the possession of the Counts of Wasserburg through marriage. Through Ottokar II of Bohemia, the castle came into the possession of the Habsburgs, in 1278.

In July 1527, the Anabaptist preacher Balthasar Hubmaier was arrested under the pretext of causing riots in Mikulov, Moravia and transferred to Burg Kreuzenstein. He was interrogated there but refused to renounce his beliefs and was burned at the stake in Vienna. Until the Thirty Years War, the castle had never been conquered but then it fell into the hands of the Swedish Field Marshall Lennart Torstensson, who, on his departure in 1645, blew up three parts of the building.

Today the castle is a much-loved tourist destination and museum in the surrounding countryside of Vienna. At one time, a classical concert known as the Burgserenade was held in the great hall of the castle, at the end of June each year. This has been discontinued. Through the year from April to October, a falconry show, known as Adlerwarte Kreuzenstein is held on the estate. The recently renovated Burgtaverne Kreuzenstein is a restaurant, furnished to provide the atmosphere of a medieval tavern.

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Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Austria

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4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Kristýna Palečková (5 months ago)
Very nice and iconic castle on the top of the hill nearby the Austrian Vienna. We didn’t take the guided tour but we Walk around the castle through the forest which was very nice walk. Also we visited the bird show where they have a lot of predators. Directly on the top you can find a nice restaurant.
Thuy Linh Mai (6 months ago)
We visited the castle on a nice sunny day. Got there by train from Vienne for ~1.5 hours and then more than 30 mins on foot. We didnt notice that they only have guided tours (which was our bad) and had to wait for very long until sb properly explain to us how it works. Luckily the manager was very nice and we had a very pleasant tour of the castle, though it was quite quick (45 mins). But yay, we didnot waste the long train and especially the walk!!! Thanks again ?
Isobel Platings (6 months ago)
Loved this castle. I arrived at the end of the day and it was no problem for the tour guide to give me a tour on my own in English. The castle was rebuilt at the end of the 19th C. , in the Romantic style. I could sense that the Pre-Raphelite artists would have painted their heroines there, had they been able to. The castle is a museum really, incorporating a number of architectural items saved from cathedrals and castles around Europe. Inside (where you are not allowed to take photos) there are valuable collections of kitchen equipment, armour and weapons, plus paintings and furniture in the rooms. Could I imagine any pre-Raphaelite heroines living there? Not quite, don’t know why; but the Three Musketeers was filmed there, plus other things as it is in such good condition (despite the Russian army damage and looting after WW2). It was a gorgeous castle — well worth the detour from my cycling holiday along the Danube.
Dmytro Popravka (10 months ago)
Just wow castle. Shame it is closed during winter time, my guess it’s worth buying ticket and visiting inner castle. Outside castle is great and the view even in winter is breathtaking. Very easy to get here by car, it even has a parking lot just below the castle.
Amanda Hirschl (13 months ago)
The castle is very beautiful and definitely worth a visit, but don't expect anything like an authentic medieval castle. The guide provide interesting stories about the objects and rooms inside the castle, but it is only available in German. On specific days there is also a falcon show with big birds that is also worth seeing.
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