Burg Hardegg

About the museum

Burg Hardegg perches on a rock above the Thaya, immediately at the current border with Czech Republic, and is first documented in 1145. What began as a small fortification developed under the counts of Maidburg-Hardegg into an extensive castle with tower, palas, and chapel, which was the center of its own county. By the late 15th century, it passed to the Habsburgs, who granted it to the Prüschenk brothers.

In 1730, Sigmund Khevenhüller acquired the castle. His family, however, lived primarily at Schloss Riegersburg, and Hardegg fell into ruin during the 18th and 19th centuries. From 1878, Johann Carl Khevenhüller had the complex rebuilt in historicist style. The plans came from Carl Gangolf Kayser, former court architect of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico; under the chapel, a family crypt was created.

The castle passed to the present owner family Pilati through marriage. It is private property and is regularly used as a film location. Since 2025, the family has opened the castle once a year for a few weeks during "castle summer": visitors then explore the hall of knights, chapel, winter kitchen, rock cellar, and east tower on their own; an exhibition shows the building history, and since 2026, the ancestor hall tells the history of the Khevenhüller family. Proceeds go toward maintaining the walls.

Highlights

• Location on a rock high above the Thaya Valley at the border with Czech Republic
• Hall of knights, castle chapel, and winter kitchen
• Rock cellar and east tower
• Exhibition on the building history of the castle
• Ancestor hall on the history of the Khevenhüller family (since 2026)

Permanent exhibitions

• Baugeschichte der Burg Hardegg – The area traces the path from border fortress through decay to ruin to reconstruction in the late 19th century.
• Die Khevenhüller im Ahnensaal – Since 2026, the ancestor hall tells the eventful history of the Khevenhüller family from their acquisition of the castle in 1730 to the present owner family.

Operated by

Burg Hardegg Besitz GmbH (Familie Pilati)

Admission & discounts

Prices for castle summer 2026. Adult rate for ages 27–64. Online tickets valid only for the selected day; discounts available only at the cash desk. Card and cash payment possible. No partnership with Lower Austria Card. Dogs have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle is not wheelchair accessible; paths are steep, rocky, and natural, and between rooms one walks outdoors. Restrooms are available on the castle grounds.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children are welcome, but there is no special children's program. Paths are steep and rocky and not suitable for strollers; children need good footwear and supervision.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Burg Hardegg, 2082 Hardegg.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Small selection of snacks and closed beverages, no gastronomy at the castle; guest houses in town.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The castle is rented for film and photography productions as well as other projects (inquiries by email).

Plan your visit