Schloss Zogelsdorf

Just 3 km south of Eggenburg in the Horn district, a former aristocratic residence is inhabited and lovingly maintained: Zogelsdorf Castle near the famous limestone quarries is younger than you might think and yet old enough to tell centuries of history. The time of the Crusaders comes to life in the Order Museum, while Celtic wisdom comes to life on the nature trail.

Rediscovered jewel

Zogelsdorf is mentioned as early as 1122 as Chadolt de Zoclindorf, and the two brothers Chunradus and Tagno de Zogelsdorf are named as the owners - it was probably a fortified building from the High Middle Ages, although it no longer exists today: There are no parts of today's castle that are older than 600 years. From 1522, various noble families took turns in owning the estate. In 1670, the building was transformed into a small baroque castle through major renovation and extension work. Although an inn was established in 1831, the Suttner family took over the property just eight years later - Zogelsdorf Castle once again became a seat of nobility, accommodating the imperial court in 1848 and members of the Imperial War Ministry in the following years. The current owners are the Perko-Greiffenbühl family, who maintain and live in the residence.

The core of the two-storey building dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, but changes from the 19th and 20th centuries can be seen. For example, the entrance hall and the other rooms on the first floor have barrel vaults from the 16th century, while the wrought iron grilles and doors date from the first half of the 19th century. The south front is characterized by a central baluster balcony with volute-shaped consoles and a monopitch roof resting on two Tuscan columns. The doors in the southwest wing feature profiled stone walls. The façades are plastered white and the red-white-red shutters on some of the windows on the upper floor create a striking accent. An enclosure of square pillars with pyramid roofs has been preserved from the former garden in front of the south façade. Today's natural garden was created in 1967 and is still home to much older structures that have been integrated.

Zogelsdorf stone

From the Bronze Age to the 20th century: Zogelsdorf (limestone) sandstone has been quarried near the castle for over 3000 years and is one of the most significant natural stones in Austria. The material extracted here is also used in the construction of many sights such as Altenburg Abbey, St. Stephen's Church in Vienna, Karlskirche and Schönbrunn Palace.

The museum

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the time of the Crusaders right up to the present day has come to the right place: The palace houses a private museum of the order as well as a museum of local history and hunting. The museum also documents the time of the Crusaders, the history of the Knights of St. John, the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Order. On display are historical decorations, awards, medals and medal insignia. One room is dedicated to the history of hunting.

Visits to the museum and castle are possible all year round by appointment.