Leesdorf Castle

Leesdorf Castle, located in Baden near Vienna, is a historic castle that currently serves as the home of the HTL painting school. The castle is protected under monument protection, and the castle park is also protected as a natural monument. The castle has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the 12th century, and has undergone several transformations and ownership changes over the centuries.

The Origins of Leesdorf Castle

Schloss Leesdorf is located in the former suburb of Leesdorf, which became part of Baden in 1850. It was originally the estate of Gut Leesdorf, a large agricultural property that was owned by various noble families. It is located between Schwechat and the Badener Mühlbach, two rivers that flow through the region.

A wall surrounds the castle, giving it a fortified appearance. To access the castle, one must pass through a wrought iron gate and cross a stone bridge that leads to a two-story tower. The baroque basket arch portal opens up to reveal a rectangular inner courtyard, where a fountain and a statue of St. Florian are located.

The moated castle, which was first mentioned in 1114 with Hugo von Leuisdorf, was formerly known as Leuisdorf or Leusdorf. The Ministerialen Hugos were a family of knights who served the Babenberg dukes, the rulers of Austria at the time. They were last mentioned in 1378. In 1312, Leesdorf was passed on to Sigmund Kastner, who later sold it to his cousin, Erhart von Leutfaringer. The Wallseers were also owners for a period of time before ownership was transferred to Stephan von Zelking, a prominent nobleman who was involved in the Austrian-Hungarian wars.

Leesdorf became a sovereign territory after him, meaning that it had its own jurisdiction and administration. In 1617, Hans Friedrich von Kielmannsegg sold the estate to Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that still owns several properties in Lower Austria. During the subsequent battles with the Turks around 1683, the castle suffered severe damage, as it was located near the front line of the Ottoman invasion.

The Baroque Transformation of Leesdorf Castle

During the early 18th century, under the leadership of Abbot Berthold Dietmayr, the Romanesque structure underwent a transformation and was converted into a magnificent Baroque palace. There is no evidence to support the claim that Jakob Prandtauer, a famous Austrian architect who designed several monasteries and churches, was the architect. However, the style and quality of the construction suggest that he may have been involved or influenced by his work.

The octagonal stair tower adjacent to the chapel, as well as a connecting building, were both removed. However, the chapel wing was expanded and linked to the main building through the addition of a transverse wing. The connecting wing features a ballroom adorned with a magnificent ceiling painting. This artwork portrays the god Chronos, surrounded by groups of putti that symbolize the four seasons. Six canvas paintings depict several Babenberg dukes, such as Leopold III, the patron saint of Austria, and Leopold V, the founder of Vienna. The paintings were created by Johann Georg Schmidt, a renowned Austrian painter who also worked on the Melk Abbey.

The chapel itself is a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture. It was consecrated in 1725 and dedicated to St. Joseph. The altar, the pulpit, and the organ are all decorated with elaborate carvings and sculptures. The ceiling fresco depicts the coronation of St. Joseph by the Holy Trinity, and was painted by Paul Troger, another famous Austrian painter who also worked on the Melk Abbey. The chapel also contains several relics and paintings of saints, such as St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, and St. Florian.

The Modern History of Leesdorf Castle

On January 31, 1851, the Melk chapter made the decision to sell the castle, which still retained its original appearance. On May 1, 1852, Dr. Stanislaus Neumister, a Court Advocate at the Viennese Court, and his wife Anna purchased the castle and 5 Joch Grund (about 3.5 hectares) for 20,000 fl. They took the initiative to fill in the swampy ditch surrounding the former water fort and began planting trees in the area. Additionally, they replaced the old wooden bridge with a sturdy stone one. Furthermore, they decided to remove three of the four corner towers, bringing them down to the level of the enclosing wall. Neumister designed the castle at a significant cost, estimated to be around 40,000-50,000 fl, transforming it into a luxurious spa hotel with a beautiful park.

Some of the notable spa guests who stayed here included Maria Pia of Savoy, the wife of King Louis I of Portugal in 1869. On June 28, 1869, she was visited by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth. Another distinguished guest was Prince Nicholas I of Montenegro in 1870, who later became the king of Montenegro and a close ally of Serbia during the Balkan Wars and World War I.

Neumister’s expectations for the economic success of the spa hotel were not met, however. On May 6, 1870, he sold it for 140,000 fl to Andreas Pöhnl, a Viennese cattle dealer, and his wife Eva. However, after only 3 ½ years, they resold it to Johann Theodor Egger, making a significant profit of around 165,000 fl.

The new owner was a man who had a deep appreciation for art. He had a particular passion for collecting old weapons, porcelain, and gems. He also acquired several paintings and sculptures from various artists, such as Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, Anton Raphael Mengs, and Franz Anton Zauner. He displayed his collection in the castle, turning it into a private museum. He also hosted several cultural events and concerts in the castle, inviting famous musicians such as Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, and Gustav Mahler.

The castle underwent extensive restoration starting in 1885. During this time, the frescoes in the ballroom were restored and modified to align with the prevailing architectural preferences, under the guidance of architect Humbert Walcher Ritter von Moltheim. During the process, the wooden structure of the keep was replaced with the closure that remains in place today. The closure features a clock and a bell, as well as a coat of arms of the Egger family.

Egger died in 1906, and his widow donated the castle and its contents to the city of Baden in 1912. The city then leased the castle to the HTL painting school, which still operates in the castle today. The school offers courses in painting, restoration, graphic design, and photography. The school also organizes exhibitions and events in the castle, showcasing the works of its students and teachers.

Baden bei Wien, Austria