Güssing Castle in Burgenland

Güssing Castle was originally established in the 12th century as a wooden fortress atop a hill 293 meters above sea level. It was later rebuilt in stone for greater defense. In the 16th century, the castle came under the ownership of the noble Batthyány family, who transformed it into a fortified stronghold to protect against Hungarian attacks.

In 1777, they removed all the cannons from the walls of Güssing Castle (Burg Güssing) and demolished parts of it to reduce its area. This was a result of the high taxes imposed by Empress Maria Theresa at that time. The castle has remained in the hands of the Batthyány family to this day, and the family’s foundation continues to manage the site.

Today, the castle attracts tourists, and during the summer months, organizers hold theater performances, concerts, and family activities there.

Inside the castle, there is a museum that displays the life of the noble family and includes about 1,500 exhibits. The exhibits in the museum are scattered throughout 18 different rooms in the castle. You can see the Knights’ Hall, the armory, the chapel, and the bell tower (from which there is a magnificent panoramic view of the entire area).

This is what Güssing Castle looks like

Essential Information for Your Visit

The castle is located in the southern part of the state of Burgenland. The driving distance from Vienna is about 160 kilometers. The castle is close to the border with Hungary.