Burg Heidenreichstein
One of the best-preserved moated castles in Austria, in the Waldviertel: castle museum with furniture from many eras, visitable by guided tour only.
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About the museum
The moated castle rises on a rock in the middle of Heidenreichstein. The oldest part is considered to be the mighty keep, whose beginnings are dated to around 1160; the expansion into a castle is attributed to Heidenreich of Eggenburg around 1190. To this day the only access from the town side leads into the complex across two surviving drawbridges.
From 1348 to 1636 the castle belonged to the lords of Puchheim, who greatly extended it from about 1400. After several brief changes of ownership it passed in 1679 to the Pálffy family, who held it for almost three centuries. Via the counts van der Straten-Ponthoz, Heidenreichstein passed by marriage to the Kinsky family in 1961, whose forestry office now runs the estate and the castle museum.
It is remarkable that no war events are recorded that seriously damaged the castle. It is therefore regarded as one of the best-preserved moated castles in Austria. On the guided tours across two floors, furniture and everyday objects from various centuries can be seen, including original timber components from the late 12th century, a Gothic gable cabinet and an armoury. Extended tours additionally open a narrow secret passage in the keep, the historic attic and rooms on the history of the castle's lords.
Highlights
- Access via two intact drawbridges
- Keep from around 1160 with secret passage
- Gothic gable cabinet and original timber components from the 12th century
- Armoury with armour and weapons
- Extended tour “Burgherrengeschichten” (Stories of the Castle Lords) on Puchheim, Pálffy and Kinsky
- Operated by
- Kinsky'sches Forstamt Burg Heidenreichstein GmbH & Co KG
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11.80 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Seniors, upper-secondary school students and students up to 26, people with disabilities (each with ID) |
| Children & teens | €6.50Children aged 6 to 15 |
| Seniors | €10with ID |
| Visitors with disabilities | €10companion free · with ID; registered companion free |
| Students & apprentices | €10Upper-secondary school students and students up to 26 with ID |
| Groups (20+ people) | €9.50 per personfrom 20 people when paid by the tour leader, free place 20+1; school groups up to 18 years €5.50 |
| Families | €272 adults and max. 2 children aged 6 to 15 |
| Tour with “secret passage” (approx. 90 min.) | €16.80reduced €15, children €10.50, family €42; not suitable for people with disabilities, claustrophobia or fear of heights |
| Tour with “Burgherrengeschichten” (approx. 90 min.) | €16.80by advance booking only; reduced €15, school students aged 12–18 €10.50; not for children under 12 |
| Complete tour with both extensions (approx. 120 min.) | €21.80by advance booking only, max. 20 people |
2026 prices, admission including tour. The Niederösterreich-CARD is not valid. Payment in cash or by card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Because of the historic building fabric, the visit is not barrier-free: the tour runs over two floors with around 40–50 steps and non-standard thresholds; the interior rooms are not accessible to wheelchair users. Assistance dogs permitted, other dogs only by arrangement.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €27 · 2 adults and max. 2 children aged 6 to 15 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
Strollers cannot be taken into the tour rooms but can be left in the ticket room during the tour. The “Burgherrengeschichten” extension is not suitable for children under 12.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Public parking in the immediate vicinity of the castle.
Cyclists can park their bicycles in the castle courtyard during the tour.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets in the area of the waiting room. Bicycles can be left in the castle courtyard during the tour.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, CS) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming are not permitted in the tour rooms. |
| Good to know | Interior rooms by guided tour only (in German, regardless of the number of participants); groups of 10 or more please register, registration required from 15 people. English and Czech via the free Hearonymus app (keyword “Kinsky”); Czech-language tours on selected dates. For school classes, workshop “Life in a Castle in the Middle Ages” (ages 6–12, approx. 2.5 hours). The estate also offers nature tours “Wunderwelt Wald” (Wonder World of the Forest) and “Wunderwelt Teich” (Wonder World of the Pond). |
