Weikersdorf Castle

Weikersdorf Castle is a stunning Renaissance castle located in Baden, a spa town in Lower Austria. The castle has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the 13th century. It was originally surrounded by a moat, but has since been repurposed as a hotel, offering a unique and luxurious experience for its guests.

The Origins of the Castle

The exact date of construction for the moated castle upon which the building is modeled remains unknown. However, the first mention of the castle dates back to 1268, when Heinrich and Albero von Weikersdorf held the rule over the area. In 1450, Hans Hager became the lord of Weikersdorf am Anger, a village near the castle.

The castle also belonged to Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary and Croatia, who conquered Austria in 1485. Following his death in 1490, the castle was returned to the emperor, who entrusted it to his forester, Kallenberg. The castle changed hands several times after the two Turkish sieges in 1529 and 1683, which devastated the region.

The Renaissance Transformation

Starting from 1579, extensive renovations were carried out on the castle, transforming it into a Renaissance-style fortress with a beautiful arcaded courtyard. The renovations were commissioned by the lords of Sinzendorf, who acquired the castle in 1568. The Sinzendorf family owned the castle until 1692, when they sold it to the Counts of Starhemberg.

The Baroque Makeover

In 1692, the castle underwent another makeover, this time in the baroque style. The first floor ceilings were adorned with stucco, a facade was added to the gate tower, and the former keep was removed, leaving only the eaves height. The castle also received new terracotta furnishings by Victor Brausewetter, an architect and pottery manufacturer from Kottingbrunn-Wagram, in 1859 and 1860. In the 18th century, the drained moats were also filled in, and a loggia was added to the south side of the castle. Additionally, modifications were made to the portal zone of the gate tower, giving it a more elegant appearance.

The Castle as a Hotel

The castle faced the risk of falling into disrepair after being haunted by the Soviet Army in 1945, during the occupation period. In order to prevent this, the municipality of Baden took ownership of the castle and its park (approximately 30,000 m² in total) on June 30, 1966, for a sum of five million schillings. The municipality then proceeded to structurally secure the castle between 1968 and 1971.

On March 9, 1973, industrialist Wilhelm Papst purchased the properties from the city of Baden. With his wife Lotte’s support, he took the initiative to renovate the castle and expand it into a castle hotel, with architect Herbert Ortner Sr. leading the project. As part of the overall renovation project, the Mühlbach bed was relocated and the sports wing, tennis hall, and bed wing in the east were extended. The hotel began operating on September 1, 1975. It was officially opened as a club hotel on February 18, 1976 by Josef Staribacher, the Federal Minister for Trade, Commerce, and Industry, along with Governor Andreas Maurer.

On January 1, 1992, Austria-Hotel-AG took over the club hotel after Papst declared bankruptcy in 1990. The hotel has since been managed by various operators, and is currently part of the Radisson Blu group.

The Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf gained significant recognition during the Euro 2008, as it served as the accommodation for the Italian national soccer team during the tournament. The hotel offers 164 rooms and suites, a spa and wellness center, a restaurant and a bar, a conference and event center, and a park with a rose garden. The hotel is also a popular destination for weddings, celebrations, and cultural events.

Baden bei Wien, Austria