Schloss Esterházy

About the museum

The palace stands on the site of a Gothic castle whose origins reach back to the 13th century and which later became part of Eisenstadt's town fortifications. In 1622 it passed to the Esterházy family, who finally acquired it in 1649 and have owned it without interruption ever since. Prince Paul I Esterházy had the castle converted into a Baroque palace between 1663 and 1672 to plans by Carlo Martino Carlone; it remained a main residence of the family for about three centuries.

From 1761 to 1803 Joseph Haydn was in the service of the princes as court musician and Kapellmeister; the palace's ceremonial hall is now known as the Haydn Hall and, thanks to its acoustics, is a sought-after concert hall. At the beginning of the 19th century, under Nikolaus II, a Neoclassical remodelling to plans by Charles de Moreau began, which was only partly realised because of the Napoleonic Wars.

After 1969 the Province of Burgenland leased parts of the palace; since 2010 it has once again been run by the Esterházy Private Foundations, into which Melinda Esterházy had contributed the family heritage from 1994. Today the palace ticket covers several exhibitions: the state rooms of the piano nobile with the Haydn Hall and the entailed silver, an exhibition about Haydn on the ground floor, a show about Princess Melinda Esterházy, a festive table in the White Hall, and a wine museum in the old cellars. The palace also hosts concerts, festivals and events.

Highlights

• Haydn Hall, the Baroque ceremonial hall famous for its acoustics
• State rooms of the piano nobile with the Esterházy entailed silver
• Exhibition "Haydn explosiv" about Haydn as court Kapellmeister
• Wine museum with over 700 objects in the palace cellars
• Baroque palace chapel with an organ from Haydn's time
• Festive table "Zu Tisch!" with Sèvres porcelain in the White Hall

Permanent exhibitions

• Glanzlichter des Schlosses Esterházy – Tour through the state rooms of the piano nobile with the Haydn Hall, works of art from the princely collection, the Neoclassical entailed silver and insights into 300 years of building history.
• Haydn explosiv. Musik aus revolutionären Zeiten – Multimedia show in the Sala Terrena about Joseph Haydn's decades as composer and Kapellmeister in the service of the Esterházys.
• Weinmuseum – In the Baroque cellar vaults, over 700 objects, including barrels and the oldest tree press in Burgenland, tell of viticulture and wine culture at the princely court.

Operated by

Esterhazy Betriebe AG (Esterhazy Privatstiftungen)

Admission & discounts

The palace ticket without a tour also serves as a winter ticket. Free admission without a tour with the Niederösterreich-CARD, Burgenland-CARD and Steiermark-CARD.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The Haydn exhibition is on the ground level; the Haydn Hall and state rooms on the 1st floor can be reached with some organisational effort – please register in advance at +43 2682 63004 7600. Special tours involving changes of floor are not wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets on the ground floor (access via Café Maskaron) and on the piano nobile. Wheelchair users drive through the iron gate to the left of the palace to the accessible entrance. Prams are not allowed in the exhibitions; animals other than assistance dogs are not permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Year-round children's tour "Willkommen im Schloss" ("Welcome to the Palace") and palace tours for families; costume tour on Sundays at 2 pm. Museum case for children and the puzzle booklet "Trampel-Pfad" (a trail through the palace, park and town, approx. 1 hour). Children's birthdays and school programmes via Esterhazy Kids. Prams are not allowed in the exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

From Vienna via the A2/A3, exit Müllendorf, then the B59 to the palace (entrance to the underground car park directly in front). Bicycle racks at Esterházyplatz.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Maskaron in the palace and the Esterházy Schloss Boutique; opposite, in the former stables, Restaurant Henrici and a wine shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Palace halls for corporate events, celebrations and weddings via central reservations (eventlocations@esterhazy.at).

Plan your visit