Loosdorf Castle

Loosdorf Castle is located in the Lower Austrian Weinviertel in the municipality of Fallbach.

Loosdorf originated during the second Bavarian colonization of the Weinviertel around the middle of the 11th century. In 1416, it was first mentioned in a document as the fortress Lostorff.

In 1380, the Fallbach family was enfeoffed with the Loosdorf dominion. In 1394, ownership changed to Hans Schenk von Ried and in 1411 to Jörg and Hans Schenken von Seebarn. In 1531, Ferdinand I enfeoffed Knight Adam von Gall as thanks for the liberation of the Hungarian city of Gran from the Turks; his monument still stands in the castle courtyard.

In 1645, the Swedes destroyed the castle, which was rebuilt as a single-story structure around 1680. From 1732, Loosdorf belonged to the possessions of Prince Emanuel von Liechtenstein. In 1794, Johann Prince von Liechtenstein had the castle rebuilt in the Neoclassical style – particularly impressive are the garden facade with the grand staircase and the state rooms on the first floor. The romantic ruin of Hanselburg, located nearby in the forest, also commemorates the builder.

In 1834, Marquis Friedrich August Piatti acquired the property for his family, who originated from Upper Italy. In 1945, Loosdorf Castle was completely plundered by Russian soldiers and the facades were severely damaged. In 1956, the owners were able to re-enter the castle and rebuilt it. In 1959, the castle museum opened with Austria's largest private collection of tin figures.

Next to the castle building with its surrounding park is the castle church, which also serves as a parish church.