Rosenburg Castle

Schloss Rosenburg

Schloss Rosenburg is located in Lower Austria in the district of Horn on the picturesque rocky bank of the river Kamp, which is a left tributary of the Danube. It is located in the center of a picturesque nature reserve. The nature surrounding Rosenburg is impressive: green lawns, numerous fanciful fountains, pink fragrant gardens, majestic and mighty oaks.

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Architecture

Rosenburg Castle was founded in the 12th century. Originally, there was a citadel on the site, and around it a quite ordinary pentagonal courtyard. At first, it was an ordinary defensive fortification.

The Gothic structure of Rosenberg Castle was demolished between 1593 and 1597. After the demolition, the castle was built in the Renaissance style with the impressive 13 towers that remain today. In addition to the towers, a large knight’s court was built.

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The castle consists of 26 large halls decorated with magnificent paintings, hunting weapons, antique paintings, and furnishings. The marble floor, amazing decorative ornamentation with mirrors, stones and an attractive orchestra platform give the castle a unique look.

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The castle contains a huge library, luxurious numerous rooms. The tall bookcases contain as many as 40,000 volumes dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.

The unique collection of hunting and fighting weapons is truly admirable: medieval swords, slingshots, spears and arrows, crossbows, powder pots, flintlock guns, and even mini cannons. Hanging along the walls are deer antlers, falconry ammunition, etc.

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History

This architectural structure is first mentioned in historical documents in 1175. The main purpose of the castle was to control the trade flows from Bohemia to Vienna. Paul Rosenberg called it his estate and controlled the fate of Rosenburg Castle until the beginning of the 14th century.

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In 1433, Rosenburg Castle was captured by the Hussite commander Prokop the Lesser and was barbarously devastated, but fortunately not completely destroyed. After that the castle was not restored for a certain period of time.

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In 1476, Rosenburg is bought by Caspar Von Rogendorf. It is he who restores the castle, and then sells it in 1487 to the Grabner brothers. The Grabners were also active in fortifying the castle. Subsequently, their children and numerous grandchildren transformed it into their magnificent and fortified Renaissance residence. And the descendant Sebastian was so keen on improving the castle that he was unable to pay off his debts, so he had to sell Rosenburg.

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Documentary sources, dating from 1527-1532, testify to the belonging of the castle to the Spanish aristocracy of a certain order of knights. The pioneer’s sons, Anton and Hans, moved to Lower Austria. The rest of the family soon moved here as well, to faithfully serve the then ruling Austrian house.

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In 1604, Hans Jörger von Tollet became the new owner of the castle, who resold the structure to Cardinal Franz von Dietrichstein in 1611.

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He made the chapel of Rosenburg Castle into a Catholic church, which was originally built for Protestant services. Except that Franz von Dietrichstein’s efforts were in vain. Some time later, the protracted Thirty Years’ War broke out, affecting the castle itself, which was captured in 1620 by the Protestant leader Baron von Hofkirchen. He destroyed the castle’s entire garrison and his retinue.

It was only half a century later that Rosenburg was rebuilt by the Goyos family. When Countess Maria Regina von Sprinzenstein married Count Leopold Hoyos in 1681, the two dynasties united and the new landowners of Rosenberg became known as “Hoyos-Sprinzenstein”. They started the restoration and expansion of the castle, which lasted until the 17th century. To this day, a large knight’s playground 67 by 46 meters has been preserved on the castle grounds.

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In 1800 a fire severely damaged the Rosenberg Castle. It was not until 1860 that Count Ernst Carl von Hoyos-Sprinzenstein Sr. rebuilt the castle.

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Tourists

The Rosenburg Castle is home to the Fairy Tale World exhibition. There are 26 rooms, a marvelous collection of dishes and furniture, majolica, pewterware, glass, clocks, hunting weapons, paintings from the 16th-17th centuries and prehistoric finds collected by Baron Ferdinand von Engelshofen himself.

Nowadays, numerous exhibitions, interesting shows and concerts are organized in Rosenburg Castle. The “Hunting Bird Show”, which is regularly held on the castle grounds, is sure to leave unforgettable impressions. Here you can watch how birds of prey such as kites and falcons are tamed. Equally popular is the “Knight’s Tournament”, which is held here annually. The castle complex with its beautiful rose garden, Renaissance courtyard, and magnificent palace is a fabulous place for any event.

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Opening times:

Visiting Rosenburg Castle is only possible from April through October.April, October – only on Wednesday and Sunday from 9.30 to 16.30,May, September – Tuesday, Sunday, from 9.30 to 17.00,June, July, August – daily from 9.30 to 17.00.There is an air show on opening day at 11.00 and 15.00.

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Cost of the tour:

• Adults – €12;
• Groups (from 20 people) of pensioners, students – €10;
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• Groups with a personal guide – €12;
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• Family (2 adults and school-age children) – €30;
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• Students and children with an audio guide – €6.5;
• Students with a personal guide – €8;
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• It is possible to purchase an annual card for €49.

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Address

Rosenburg 1, Rosenburg.

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