Schloss Lackenbach

About the museum

The castle on the plain near Lackenbach was built in the mid-16th century as a more comfortable residence and administrative seat beside Landsee Castle; in 1553 it is first mentioned as newly built. Through the marriage of Nikolaus Esterházy to Ursula Dersffy, the Landsee-Lackenbach estate passed to the Esterházy family in 1612. Until 1628 Lackenbach was their main residence and at times the seat of the Hungarian Palatine.

In 1620 the castle was besieged in the Battle of Lackenbach by troops of the Transylvanian prince Gábor Bethlen. With the help of imperial troops and the farmers of Neckenmarkt, Nikolaus Esterházy was able to break the siege – an event that favoured the family's rise.

The complex follows the Renaissance ideal of a symmetrically structured landscape: avenues, moats, walls, orchard meadows with rare old fruit varieties and a raised royal mound from the 17th century have survived to this day. After careful renovation, Esterhazy Betriebe AG runs a nature discovery museum, an exhibition on the courtly hunt of the Esterházy princes, event rooms and a boutique hotel in the castle.

Highlights

• Nature discovery museum “Der Natur auf der Spur” with life-size forest animals
• Exhibition on the courtly hunt of the Esterházy princes with historic hunting weapons
• Exhibition on the Battle of Lackenbach in 1620
• Historic castle park with giant sequoias and orchard meadow
• Puzzle rally for families in the castle park

Permanent exhibitions

• Der Natur auf der Spur – The nature discovery museum presents habitats such as forest, field, river and lake with all the senses; life-size forest animals particularly appeal to children.
• Die höfische Jagd der Fürsten Esterházy – Hunting rifles, books and porcelain from four centuries show the hunting culture of the princely house.
• Die Schlacht von Lackenbach 1620 – Equipment and weaponry recall the siege of the castle in 1620; shown in cooperation with the museum in Neckenmarkt.

Operated by

Esterhazy Betriebe AG

Admission & discounts

Museum admission is free with the Burgenland Card, Niederösterreich-Card and Steiermark Card. The exhibition on the Battle of Lackenbach is included in the museum ticket.

Accessibility

• 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 exhibitions are on the ground floor and are largely barrier-free; wheelchair-accessible toilets are available. Assistance dogs entered in the disability pass are permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Puzzle rally through the castle park for families (approx. 2 hours, from age 7, advance booking requested, weather permitting only). From May to October, a family tour with a picnic in the park on Sundays; children's birthday parties on the theme of nature and seasonal children's programmes.

Getting there & parking

Accessible by car via the S31 expressway.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Newly designed castle café with ice cream (including Esterházyschnitten ice cream) and small snacks; boutique hotel “Zum Oberjäger” in the castle park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Banqueting hall, seminar room and concert hall as well as park, garden and inner courtyards for seminars, company parties, garden parties, lectures and workshops; overnight stays in the boutique hotel “Zum Oberjäger” (10 rooms).

Plan your visit