Schloss Weitra

About the museum

The core of the complex is a fortress that Hadmar II of Kuenring had built at the beginning of the 13th century on the highest point of the newly laid-out fortified town of Weitra. The town was the administrative, judicial and market centre of its surrounding area and offered the population refuge in times of war.

After Emperor Rudolf II transferred the town and lordship to Wolf Rumpf in 1581, the medieval fortress was rebuilt to plans by Pietro Ferrabosco into a mighty Renaissance castle with an arcaded courtyard. Through Rumpf's widow, the estate passed in the 17th century to the House of Fürstenberg, which still owns the castle today. After fires, it was given a Baroque form in the 18th century, followed by Rococo-style alterations in the 19th century.

The severe damage of 1945 was repaired at great expense. Its use as a cultural venue began with the Lower Austrian State Exhibition in 1994, followed by a brewery museum and the Democracy Forum. Since 2006, four enormous funnel-shaped umbrellas have spanned the arcaded courtyard, and the brewing museum was transformed into the Erlebniswelt Bier (Beer Experience World) for the 700th anniversary of the beer town.

Today the Kulturverein Schloss Weitra runs the visitor operations with three exhibitions, a tower climb and a castle shop; concerts, theatre and the Schloss Weitra festival add to the programme.

Highlights

• Castle museum on more than 800 years of town and castle history
• Beer Experience World in the castle cellar
• Exhibition "Schauplatz Eiserner Vorhang" (Iron Curtain Venue)
• Lookout tower with views as far as Bohemia
• Whispering Room with Biedermeier paintings
• Arcaded courtyard with funnel-shaped umbrellas and Rococo theatre

Permanent exhibitions

• Schlossmuseum – Artworks and objects tell the story of the town and castle from the Kuenrings to the Fürstenberg family, complemented by Waldviertel crafts, economic history, and aristocratic and middle-class domestic life.
• Erlebniswelt Bier – Interactive show in the castle cellar on raw materials and brewing methods past and present – fitting for Austria's oldest brewing town.
• Schauplatz Eiserner Vorhang – Exhibition on the division of Europe, the Cold War and individual fates along the Austrian-Czech border.

Operated by

Kulturverein Schloss Weitra

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD (guided tour €5 surcharge). Card payment accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 partly accessible; the castle museum can be reached by lift. Parking spaces for people with disabilities and a wheelchair-accessible toilet are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Children's play corner as well as programmes and tours for children; events and workshops for children too.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Castle shop with Waldviertel crafts, regional products and gift ideas; café corner with coffee, cake and snacks.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 550 guests.

Rental from April to November: covered, heatable arcaded courtyard with stage (up to 550 people), Rococo theatre with foyer (150 people), banquet hall, Whispering Room, garden salons, bastion garden and castle chapel. Weddings 1 May to 15 June and 8 August to 31 October.

Plan your visit