Burg Kreuzenstein

About the museum

A castle had stood on the rocky spur above the Danube since the 12th century; it was blown up during the Thirty Years' War. In 1874 Count Johann Nepomuk ("Hans") Wilczek began its reconstruction. He had original building elements from various other castles incorporated, creating an ideal image of a medieval castle.

Wilczek (1837–1922) was a traveller, art collector and patron: he financed the Austro-Hungarian North Pole expedition of Payer and Weyprecht and was involved in founding the Vienna Voluntary Rescue Society and the Rudolfinerhaus. His collection of more than 10,000 objects found its home in Kreuzenstein. After roughly three decades of construction, the castle was ceremonially opened on 6 June 1906, with Emperor Wilhelm II among those present; in 1910 the former US President Theodore Roosevelt paid a visit.

Wilczek was buried in the family crypt beneath the castle chapel. The castle remains in the family's ownership to this day and serves as a show castle and museum. Guided tours show the armoury, Knights' Hall, Princes' Room, hunting room and castle kitchen with their furnishings.

Highlights

• Armoury with one of the largest private weapons collections in Austria
• Knights' Hall with tapestries and Renaissance furniture
• Princes' Room with a canopy bed around 500 years old
• Castle kitchen with a 7.5-metre-long oak table and historic kitchen utensils
• Hunting room with mementos of Wilczek's polar expedition
• Keep over 60 metres high

Permanent exhibitions

• Rüstkammer – Armour, helmets, shields, swords and riding gear for almost a hundred men, from the peasant's spear to ceremonial armour, plus cannons from the 16th century.
• Burgräume mit der Sammlung Wilczek – Knights' Hall, Princes' Room, hunting room and castle kitchen, furnished with furniture, tapestries and everyday objects from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Operated by

Familie Wilczek (Gutsverwaltung Wilczek)

Admission & discounts

Cash only. The Niederösterreich-CARD is not valid. The neighbouring Falconry Centre has its own admission prices.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Because of the many steps, the castle is not accessible for people with walking disabilities; the path from the car park is gravelly and uneven.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Promoted as a destination for families, but there are no dedicated children's tours. Pushchairs must be left behind at the start of the tour; a baby carrier is recommended for the uneven path from the car park.

Getting there & parking

About 30 minutes by car from Vienna.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Burgtaverne Kreuzenstein in the style of a medieval inn.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit