Clan Rising
Schloss Schönborn today

Austria · Restored

Schloss Schönborn

Schloss Schönborn is an early 18th-century Baroque palace in Göllersdorf, Lower Austria, built for Friedrich Carl von Schönborn and designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. The three-wing complex retains a formal garden, an orangery ensemble and a chapel; after damage in the 20th century it has been restored and today houses a golf club and restaurant while remaining in family ownership.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1712

Its prime

1716

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1716

What Schloss Schönborn looked like in its prime.

A three-wing Baroque country palace with a broad central risalit topped by a curved pediment and coat of arms, flanked by lateral wings. Two-storey façade: pale ochre upper walls with green wooden shutters above a white rusticated piano nobile; a tiled hipped roof with small dormers and chimneys. A balustraded roofline punctuated by classical statues, a central columned entrance with a small balcony, and formal forecourt leading into extensive parkland and an orangery pavilion nearby.

Its story

The story of Schloss Schönborn.

Schloss Schönborn at Göllersdorf in Lower Austria was built in the early eighteenth century for Friedrich Carl von Schönborn, imperial vice-chancellor, to designs by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, replacing the medieval Mühlburg castle and incorporating elements of its structure. In 1710 his father, Melchior Friedrich, Count of Schönborn, had acquired the estates of Göllersdorf, Mühlberg and Aspersdorf from Franz Anton von Bucheim, the last Count of Puchheim and then Bishop of Wiener Neustadt, after which the buyers styled themselves Schönborn-Puchheim, later Schönborn-Buchheim.

Göllersdorf served chiefly as Friedrich Carl's summer residence: he lived in Vienna, where from 1717 to 1719 he had the Secret Court Chancellery, now Austria's Federal Chancellery, built as his official residence, before leaving for his principalities to complete the Würzburg Residence and build Werneck palace. Having no son, he passed the Austrian majorat to a cousin's son, Hugo (1739–1817).

The three-winged palace, with its formal garden, orangery ensemble and chapel, suffered significant damage and looting during the Russian occupation after the Second World War. Since restored, it now hosts a golf club and restaurant while remaining in the ownership of the Schönborn family.

Step inside

11 places to explore in 1716.

The record describes 11 distinct spots at Schloss Schönborn, including 5 interiors: sala terrena (ground-floor hall), palace chapel, library and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Forecourt approach and central entranceCentral risalit and balconyInner courtyard (former Mühlburg core)Outer courtyard and gateway buildingsSala terrena (ground-floor hall)Palace chapelLibraryMain staircase and piano nobileOrangery pavilion and courtyardsNorthern park and Chinese pavilion on islandSt. John Nepomuk Chapel (park edge)

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Whose castle

Clans who held Schloss Schönborn.

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

  • Schönborn

    Built for the Counts of Schönborn after their 1710 purchase of Göllersdorf, and still in the family's ownership.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Schloss Schönborn.

Votive Church, AustriaChurchVotive Church33 km awayVindobona, AustriaAncient siteVindobona34 km awaySt. Stephen's Cathedral, AustriaCathedralSt. Stephen's Cathedral34 km away

Questions about Schloss Schönborn

What is the history of Schloss Schönborn?

Schloss Schönborn was built in the early eighteenth century as a summer residence for Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. It replaced the medieval Mühlburg castle and incorporated elements of its structure. The palace was damaged and looted during the Russian occupation after the Second World War, but was later restored and now houses a golf club and restaurant.

What is inside Schloss Schönborn?

Schloss Schönborn contains a Sala terrena, palace chapel, library, main staircase and piano nobile. Its documented interior arrangement also includes the main hall, galleries, antechambers and apartments, organised in a hierarchical sequence of rooms. Frescoes by Jonas Drentwett were completed in the Sala terrena in 1714 and in the chapel and library in 1715.

Who owns Schloss Schönborn now?

Schloss Schönborn is owned by the House of Schönborn. The palace remains in the ownership of the Schönborn family, and its estate administration is housed in the outbuildings. It is also a listed object in Austria.

Why was Schloss Schönborn built, and what was it used for?

Schloss Schönborn was built as a representative country residence and summer retreat for Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. It also served as a private retreat and hunting lodge, with a pheasantry and associated gardens. Today, the restored main building houses a golf club and restaurant, while the park includes a golf course.

Does anyone live at Schloss Schönborn now?

The Schönborn family does not live at Schloss Schönborn today; the family resides at Weyerburg Castle. Schloss Schönborn houses a golf club and restaurant, while the estate administration is in its outbuildings. The palace therefore remains family-owned without being identified as the family’s current residence.

Where is Schloss Schönborn?

Schloss Schönborn is in Göllersdorf, in Lower Austria. It stands south-east of the market town of Göllersdorf and north-east of Stockerau, in the Hollabrunn district. The palace is about 25 kilometres north of Vienna.

When was Schloss Schönborn built?

Schloss Schönborn was first raised in 1712 and belongs to the early eighteenth century. Construction continued in phases: the building was restored and given a new roof by autumn 1712, while the castle was fully completed by autumn 1716. The orangery was then constructed.

Which family or clan held Schloss Schönborn?

Schloss Schönborn was held and built for the Counts of Schönborn, whose family still owns it. The family acquired Göllersdorf in 1710, after which the buyers styled themselves Schönborn-Puchheim and later Schönborn-Buchheim. The Austrian branch of the Schönborn family has retained ownership of the palace to this day.

What did Schloss Schönborn look like in its prime?

Schloss Schönborn is a three-wing Baroque country palace with a broad central risalit, curved pediment and coat of arms. Its pale ochre upper walls have green wooden shutters above a white rusticated piano nobile, beneath a tiled hipped roof with dormers and chimneys. A balustraded roofline, statues, central entrance and balcony complete the façade.

Is Schloss Schönborn still standing, or is it a ruin?

Schloss Schönborn is still standing and has been restored, rather than surviving as a ruin. It suffered major damage and looting during the Russian occupation after the Second World War, and later remained neglected for a time. The restored main building now serves as a golf-club clubhouse and restaurant.

Who built Schloss Schönborn?

Schloss Schönborn was commissioned for Friedrich Carl von Schönborn and designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt created the three-wing complex with its extensive garden, orangery and chapel. Maximilian von Welsch supported him by focusing primarily on the water works.

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