Grafenegg Castle

The Castle is rich in historical evidence and its origins date back to 1435. From then on, it underwent several metamorphoses over the centuries until it finally became the Tudor-style castle visible today. Count Breuner-Eckevoirt, a lover of architecture, had the Renaissance castle rebuilt in the style of romantic historicism in the 19th century. Today the castle is owned by the Metternich-Sándor family, who restored it with the support of the province of Lower Austria.

You can visit Grafenegg Castle individually or as part of a guided tour from 22.06. to 08.09.2024.

• Opening hours from 22 June to 8 September / Sat. and Sun. 11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
• Guided tours: Sat. and Sun. 3.00 p.m.

Grafenegg Castle can be visited individually or as part of a group tour. On a guided tour of the castle and its grounds, you will gain detailed insights into the history of the castles's origins as well as its special architectural features. At the same time, you will delve deeper into the history of the landscape garden and learn more about the original Baroque garden that was once part of this magnificent complex.

The Grafenegg Castle is the heart of this vibrant location, having survived the centuries in various forms. Its origins date back to 1294, when there was only a tranquil homestead and the mill on the Kamp, which is still preserved today and is the oldest structural evidence on site. The wealth of historical evidence can be admired in the structures of the castle and the mixture of different historical styles reflecting the owners. In a way, the castle is a guide to a retrospective view of the historical changes from the 15th century to the present. Ulrich von Grafeneck (ca. 1420-1487) took over the estate and gave today's Grafenegg its name.

Over the centuries, the castle underwent numerous extensions, although it did not take on its present form with its four wings and imposing towers until the early 17th century. The pinnacle for Grafenegg came in the 19th century, when Count August Breuner-Enckevoirt (1796-1877) commissioned the renowned Viennese cathedral architect Leopold Ernst to erect a magnificent building and park in the Romantic Historicist style, modeled on English castles. This marked the turning point that resulted in today's Grafenegg, where the historical components were artfully integrated into the elegant neo-Gothic style. After the Soviet administration in the post-war period, the castle was finally returned to Franz Albrecht Metternich-Sándor, the owner of the castle, and the extensive renovation of the damaged structure began. The most significant rooms of the castle are the Knight's Hall and the Chapel. The latter is particularly worth seeing due to the interwoven Gothic and Neo-Gothic elements. The Knights' presents itself in a late-Romantic style syncretism, which also shows features of the Neo-Renaissance. The courtyard of the castle is equally inviting and allows to understand and analyze the changes that the castle has undergone. During the summer months, this relay of historical changes becomes the setting for the Préludes, setting the mood and complementing the program of the evening concerts at the Wolkenturm. Today the castle is owned by the Metternich-Sándor family, who restored it with the support of the province of Lower Austria. As an important cultural meeting place, events have been held in the castle ever since.