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Burg Wiener Neustadt today

Austria · Restored

Burg Wiener Neustadt

Burg in Wiener Neustadt

Burg Wiener Neustadt is a medieval castle in the city of Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria that today houses the Theresian Military Academy. The site dates back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries and was rebuilt and expanded in the later Middle Ages; its late Gothic St. George's chapel and associated medieval fabric define much of the historic complex.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1193

Its prime

1475

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1475

What Burg Wiener Neustadt looked like in its prime.

A compact late-medieval castle block fronting a city street, dominated by a tall central gabled chapel wall with three tall pointed-arch windows set above a raised stone entrance terrace and arched gateway bearing carved heraldry. The main body is continuous three-storey masonry with pale plastered facades and regularly spaced rectangular window openings, steep red-tile roofs with small dormers, and one or more stout square defensive towers and surrounding curtain walls with a surrounding moat in the medieval period.

Its story

The story of Burg Wiener Neustadt.

The castle at Wiener Neustadt dates from the late 12th and early 13th centuries and was always the sovereign's property. On a terrace built over the tomb chapel of Leopold IV, Peter Pusika raised the Gottsleichnamkapelle for Duke Ernest the Iron and later, for Emperor Frederick III, St George's Chapel, the late Gothic heart of the complex, made available as the seat of the Knights of St George until the seat was repealed in 1598.

Under Emperor Maximilian I the castle lost its status as a permanent residence and became only a retreat of the emperor. One tower, adapted as a state prison and known as the Rákócziturm, held celebrated detainees including Francis II Rákóczi and Peter, Count Zrin.

In 1751 Empress Maria Theresa founded the Theresian Military Academy and established it in the castle, where it remains today. The complex, with its late Gothic chapel and medieval fabric, is now owned by the Republic of Austria.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1475.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Burg Wiener Neustadt, including 3 interiors: st. george's chapel (interior), gottsleichnamkapelle (god's body chapel), rkczi tower (rkocziturm). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach, main façade and chapelEntrance terrace and gatehouseSt. George's Chapel (interior)Gottsleichnamkapelle (God's Body Chapel)Terrace over the tomb chapel of Leopold IVRkczi Tower (Rkocziturm)West wing exterior with projecting chapel

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Questions about Burg Wiener Neustadt

What is the history of Burg Wiener Neustadt?

Burg Wiener Neustadt began as a fortified castle in the late 12th or early 13th century, helping secure the frontier of the new city. It later served as a sovereign residence, including for Frederick III, before becoming an imperial retreat, a state prison and, from 1751, the home of the Theresian Military Academy. Heavy wartime damage was followed by reconstruction after 1945.

What is inside Burg Wiener Neustadt?

Inside Burg Wiener Neustadt are the late Gothic St. George's Cathedral, the former Gottsleichnamkapelle or God's Body Chapel, and the Rákócziturm, a former state prison tower. The complex also contains the Maria-Theresien-Platz and the Generals' Staircase. The St. George's Cathedral has three naves and was rebuilt after its destruction in the Second World War.

Who owns Burg Wiener Neustadt now?

Burg Wiener Neustadt is now owned by the Republic of Austria. It has always been the sovereign's property, and it houses the Theresian Military Academy, founded in 1751.

Why was Burg Wiener Neustadt built, and what was it used for?

Burg Wiener Neustadt was built as a fortified stronghold for the new city and the frontier against the Hungarian kingdom. Its purpose later changed: it became a sovereign residence, then an imperial retreat, a state prison and finally the home of the Theresian Military Academy. The castle was also made the seat of the Knights of St George until 1598.

Where is Burg Wiener Neustadt?

Burg Wiener Neustadt is in Wiener Neustadt, in Lower Austria. It stands in the Austrian city of Wiener Neustadt and is located within the municipality of Wiener Neustadt.

When was Burg Wiener Neustadt built?

Burg Wiener Neustadt was first raised in 1193, although the present castle developed in phases from the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The first castle is dated to 1193–94, and a new castle was built on the present site at the beginning of the 13th century. Later rebuilding followed the earthquakes of 1348 and 1356.

Was Burg Wiener Neustadt ever attacked or besieged?

Burg Wiener Neustadt was besieged in 1452 by an Estates' army of 16,000, and negotiations ended the siege. Matthias Corvinus besieged it again in 1486; after two years, the defenders surrendered. It was attacked but not conquered during the first Turkish Siege of Vienna in 1529, while it was not attacked in 1683.

What did Burg Wiener Neustadt look like in its prime?

At its prime, Burg Wiener Neustadt was a compact late-medieval castle block with a tall central gabled chapel wall and three pointed-arch windows. Pale plastered façades, three-storey masonry, steep red-tile roofs, square defensive towers and curtain walls formed the complex. The entrance terrace and arched gateway carried carved heraldry, and a moat surrounded the castle in the medieval period.

Is Burg Wiener Neustadt still standing, or is it a ruin?

Burg Wiener Neustadt is still standing and has been restored. Bombing, fires and plundering almost completely destroyed it towards the end of the Second World War, leaving the outer walls and a ruin. It was rebuilt in its historical form from 1946 to 1959, while the interior layout was adapted to contemporary needs; the Military Academy resumed operations in 1958.

Who built Burg Wiener Neustadt?

Burg Wiener Neustadt was commissioned by Leopold VI, Duke of Austria. The present-site castle was built by Leopold VI the Glorious at the beginning of the 13th century. No architect is identified for the original construction in the supplied material.

Can you visit Burg Wiener Neustadt?

Burg Wiener Neustadt can be visited. Despite its military purpose, the castle is open to visitors, and an exhibition created in 2019 leads through the castle courtyard and the St. George's Cathedral before presenting its history and the Theresian Military Academy.

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