Clan Rising
Schlaining Castle today

Austria · Restored

Schlaining Castle

Burg Schlaining

Burg Schlaining is a medieval castle in Stadtschlaining in the Austrian state of Burgenland. Today the castle houses the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution and remains a prominent fortified complex in the town.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1400

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1400

What Schlaining Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact fortified complex set above a wooded ravine, dominated by a tall cylindrical stone tower with a steep red-tile conical roof. Thick curtain walls of mixed rubble and dressed stone enclose an inner ward; a squat whitewashed round tower with small windows projects at the entrance. A long multi-arch brick viaduct/bridge crosses the ravine to the gate, and red-tiled roofs and low residential ranges fill the courtyard; timber seating sits in a terraced lower bailey.

Its story

The story of Schlaining Castle.

Schlaining is first recorded in 1271 as castrum Zloynuk, a stronghold of the counts of Güssing commanding the road over the Bernstein hills. After the Güssingers' defeat by King Charles I Robert the castle went to the Kanizsay family, and in 1397 King Sigismund pledged the lordship to Nikolaus Zarka of Pecöl and Georg Tompek.

Emperor Frederick III took Schlaining in 1445 and pledged it to the mercenary captain Andreas Baumkircher, who bought up the surrounding lordships until thirty villages answered to the castle; his feud against the emperor ended with his execution at Graz in 1471. The castle then passed to Franz Batthyány, whose family held it for over 370 years, the last of the line, Lajos Batthyány, first prime minister of Hungary, was executed after the 1848 revolution.

Sold in 1849 to the railway pioneer Franz Schmidt and later run down, the castle was bought in 1957 by the former minister Udo Illig and restored. Since the 1980s it has been the "Peace Castle", seat of the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution; restoration uncovered frescoes of around 1500 in the tower room painted with Egyptian blue, a pigment surviving at only two other European sites.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1400.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Schlaining Castle, including 1 interior: inner courtyard and service ranges. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Bridge approach to the gatehouseGatehouse and entrance courtBase of the cylindrical bergfried (tall tower)Top of the tower / battlements viewInner courtyard and service rangesLower bailey terraced area (modern amphitheatre location)

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Whose castle

Clans who held Schlaining Castle.

The families that held Schlaining Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Kanizsay

    Held Schlaining from the early 14th century until 1397.

  • Baumkircher

    Held by Andreas Baumkircher, 1445–1471, until his execution at Graz.

  • Batthyány

    Held by the Batthyány family for over 370 years from 1471 to 1849.

Questions about Schlaining Castle

What is the history of Schlaining Castle?

Schlaining Castle was first recorded in the 13th century as castrum Zloynuk, a stronghold of the counts of Güssing commanding the road over the Bernstein hills. It later passed to the Kanizsay family, Andreas Baumkircher and the Batthyány family. After decline, it was bought by Udo Illig in 1957 and restored; since the 1980s it has been a peace centre.

What is inside Schlaining Castle?

Inside Schlaining Castle are the inner courtyard and service ranges, including the Great Courtyard and the Black Courtyard. The castle also contains the Knights’ Hall, a castle chapel with a small 1695 organ, and the Granarium, now used as a seminar centre. Frescoes from around 1500 were uncovered in the tower room.

Why was Schlaining Castle built, and what was it used for?

Schlaining Castle was raised as a stronghold commanding the important road over the Bernstein hills. Its surrounding roads later connected Steinamanger, Graz, Wiener Neustadt and Ödenburg. In the modern period its purpose changed: after restoration, it became the seat of the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution and a place for seminars, conferences and cultural events.

Which family or clan held Schlaining Castle?

Schlaining Castle was held by the Kanizsay family from the early 14th century until 1397. Andreas Baumkircher held it from 1445 to 1471, when he was executed at Graz. The Batthyány family then held it for over 370 years, from 1471 to 1849.

What did Schlaining Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Schlaining Castle was a compact fortified complex above a wooded ravine, dominated by a tall cylindrical stone tower with a steep red-tile conical roof. Thick curtain walls enclosed the inner ward, while a whitewashed round tower projected at the entrance. A long multi-arch brick bridge crossed the ravine to the gate, with red-tiled roofs and low residential ranges inside.

Is Schlaining Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Schlaining Castle is still standing and has been restored. The castle was bought by Udo Illig in 1957 after it had been run down, and restoration sought to preserve or restore the complex to its original condition. Later comprehensive renovation included the exterior façade and historic interiors, uncovering original wooden floors and frescoes from around 1500.

Where is Schlaining Castle?

Schlaining Castle is in Stadtschlaining, in the Austrian state of Burgenland. It stands on the edge of Stadtschlaining and is 378 metres above sea level. The castle originally commanded an important north–south route over the Bernstein hills.

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