The Story of Schallaburg Castle
The ancient castle was first established in the 11th century CE, and later, in the 16th century, it was redesigned in the Renaissance style. The castle served as the residence for various noble families and passed from hand to hand between them. In the early 20th century, during the period between the World Wars, the castle lost its standing, and its owners, suffering from financial difficulties, were forced to sell it to the state. Once the castle was acquired by the state, restoration and renovation work began, which lasted about 6 years (from 1968 to 1974). After its renovation, the castle became a venue for diverse exhibitions on various historical topics. Today, it is considered one of the main exhibition centers in the state of Lower Austria.
Take a Look Inside the Ancient Castle Structure:
The Gardens of Schallaburg Castle
Outside the ancient castle structure, there is a historic garden designed in the Italian Renaissance style. This style places special emphasis on colorful flowerbeds arranged precisely throughout the garden. Many apple trees are also scattered across the garden.
During the summer, the gardens are used for fun games for children and include a playground and an archery range. Furthermore, a restaurant operates daily, offering hot meals and snacks for visitors.
A Tour of the Castle and the Current Exhibition
You can tour the castle rooms and learn about the structure using a media guide that includes video and audio. Throughout the castle, there are 18 points of interest where you can hear stories about the history of the castle and its residents.
The “Dreams” Exhibition: This exhibition provides a glimpse into the world of imagination and dreams.
See the summer events that took place at the castle:
Essential Visitor Information for Schallaburg Castle
Opening Hours:
The castle is open from mid-April until the beginning of November. During this period, you can visit on:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Last entry is one hour before closing.
Admission Costs:
- Adult: 15 Euros
- Child (6-18): 5 Euros
- Student, Senior: 14 Euros
- Child up to age 6: Free
Media Guide: 5 Euros
Contact and Location
Address: Schallaburg 1, 3382 Schallaburg
How to Get There by Public Transportation
You can take the regional bus from Melk station to Schallaburg Castle. The bus line is WL1.
The best way to reach Melk is by train. A direct train departs several times a day from Wien Westbahnhof (Vienna West Station) and arrives at Melk Bahnhof (Melk Train Station) in about one hour. From the train station in Melk, you will need to walk about 10 minutes to the famous Melk Abbey.
If you missed the direct train from Vienna to Melk, you will need to travel from Vienna to St. Pölten Hbf and change there for a train to Melk Bahnhof. The travel time via this route is between 50 minutes and one hour.
Hiking Trails around the Castle
If you enjoy walking in nature, you can set out on several enjoyable hiking trails in the castle area. There are three circular routes that start from the castle. You can choose between a light route around the castle that takes about 30 minutes, or a more serious walk of about 90 minutes. You can find information about the trails and their marking on a map here:
If you are planning to travel to the castle, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Wachau Valley, especially the impressively beautiful Melk Abbey.
