Stadtschlaining | The Old Synagogue and Schlaining Castle

The town of Stadtschlaining in southern Burgenland was a large Jewish center. The town has an ancient synagogue and an impressive castle that serves as the Peace Museum. The castle has a variety of exhibitions. Schlaining Castle (Burg Schlaining) is an ancient castle that was established as early as the 13th century and was owned by the Güssing noble family. The castle is located in the town of Schlaining on a prominent hill at an altitude of 378 meters above sea level and 800 meters from the border of Austria and Hungary. The castle was in a strategic location due to its proximity to the ancient trade route known as the Amber Road. Today, the castle houses the European Museum for Peace.

The town of Stadtschlaining is located in southern Burgenland, on the way to the city of Graz. The small town has a long Jewish history. Jewish settlement in the town began as early as the 17th century. Over the years, a synagogue was established in the town, and community life was very active. The Second World War and the Holocaust led to the destruction of Jewish life in the town of Schlaining. The synagogue was destroyed during the Holocaust but was restored and served as the library of the European Peace Center, and today it serves as a venue for exhibitions. Besides the synagogue, the town also has several ancient Jewish cemeteries.

In the heart of the town, there is an ancient castle, Schlaining Castle, which also serves as the European Museum for Peace.

Schlaining Castle – European Peace Center

Schlaining Castle first appears in ancient writings from 1271, where it is stated that it was owned by the Dukes of Güssing. In the 15th century, the castle passed into the hands of the legendary knight Andreas Baumkircher, and thanks to him, it became a strong and fortified stronghold. At this time, the nearby town of Schlaining was also founded and became a prosperous trading center. In the mid-16th century, the castle passed into the hands of the Hungarian noble family Batthyány, and finally, in the 19th century, it passed to Hungary after its last owner was executed.

Since 2000, there has been a museum in the castle called the European Museum for Peace. The museum has a complex of 4000 meters with special exhibitions on the theme of peace around the world. Guided tours are held on site.

This is what Schlaining Castle looks like

The Old Synagogue in the Town

The synagogue in Schlaining has existed since the 18th century. On Kristallnacht, the synagogue was destroyed and for many years stood ruined and abandoned. In the 1980s, the synagogue and the rabbi’s house were bought by the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution and were renovated. The synagogue became the library of the Peace Center and is used today for exhibitions of the Peace Center.

The synagogue is located right next to the castle and can be visited as part of a visit to the exhibitions of the Peace Museum. The current exhibition focuses on Jewish life in Burgenland in the past.

Exhibitions at the European Museum for Peace

In the castle and its adjacent buildings, there are a variety of exhibitions. The recommended exhibitions are:

The History of Schlaining Castle: In the castle’s cellar, there is an exhibition on the history of the building, its architecture, the weapons in it, and life in the castle during the Middle Ages.
Burgenland from 1921 onwards: In this exhibition, you can learn about the political, economic, and cultural development of the state of Burgenland over the last hundred years.
Schlaining and Peace: This exhibition deals with the activities of the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution from its inception to the present day.
Burgenland Today: An exhibition on the subject of energy and the energy transformation that Burgenland has undergone in recent years through the increased use of wind energy.
The Old Synagogue: An exhibition dealing with the Jewish community of Burgenland and Jewish life in this region.