Eckartsau Castle (Schloss Eckartsau) was originally built in the 12th century and later renovated in the Baroque style. The building belonged to the Habsburg imperial family and was used by the heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand, as a hunting and holiday residence.
In 1918, Emperor Karl and his family lived here for four and a half months. The imperial family left Vienna after the Emperor was forced to renounce his role as ruler of Austria. A few weeks after they left Vienna, a delegation from Hungary arrived at the manor and demanded that the Emperor also renounce his position as ruler of Hungary. It was in this manor house that the Emperor signed his abdication, effectively ending the monarchy and the rule of the House of Habsburg.
Today, the magnificent manor house serves as a heritage and cultural site. Guided tours are held here, and exhibitions related to the heritage of the Austrian emperors are displayed.
The rooms inside the building are wonderfully preserved and exceptionally opulent. A tour of the site takes you through the various rooms: the reception rooms, bedrooms, library, dining room, and chapel. You can admire the royal design as well as a variety of original decorative objects and furniture that have been preserved since the time the Emperor lived in the manor.
It’s interesting to note that the manor was equipped with flushing toilets and an electric lighting system at a time when these were considered extraordinary technological innovations. You can see the ancient toilets and the unique switch system.
After the tour, you can relax in the small café on the premises.
Highly Recommended!
Surrounding the manor is a large, quiet garden with plenty of seating areas in nature’s embrace. The manor’s garden is considered part of the Danube-Auen National Park. You can wander among the ancient trees, lawns, and plants and enjoy the tranquility of the garden. Throughout the garden, there are benches and additional seating areas, so you can relax and rest in peace. Also, at the edge of the garden, there is an old wooden structure that serves as a lookout point for observing the animals living in the reserve.
Entrance to the garden is free.
Due to the manor’s proximity to the bike path leading to Bratislava, many cyclists stop here to enjoy its beauty.
This is how Eckartsau Castle looks like
You can tour the rooms of the manor as part of a guided tour. Tours are available from April to the end of October. German-language tours are at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. English tours must be arranged in advance by email: schlosseckartsau@bundesforste.at
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit – Eckartsau Castle
Tour Costs:
- Adult: €14.50
- Student, Senior: €13.50
- Child (7-18): €10
- Child up to age 6: Free
- Free one-time admission and tour for holders of the Lower Austria Card (NÖ Card).
Official Website
Virtual Tour of the Manor
How to get there by public transport from Vienna?
Take bus line 391 from Vienna. The bus departs from the U2 subway station (purple line) called Wien Aspernstraße. You need to get off at the Schloß, 2305 Eckartsau station. The journey takes about an hour and costs around €7 each way.
You can plan your trip using the regional bus company’s website.
Address: Schloß 1, 2305 Eckartsau
Map:
After visiting Eckartsau, it’s worth continuing to explore the area. Another wonderful place, just a fifteen-minute drive away, is the magnificent Schloss Hof, considered one of the most popular attractions in Lower Austria.
