Schönau Castle

Schloss Schönau is located in the municipality of Schönau an der Triesting in the Industrieviertel region of Lower Austria.

The original castle was built in the 11th century as a fortress to protect the newly settled Bavarians. During the Second Turkish Siege in 1683, the moated castle was assigned to the surrounding population for protection. However, nothing remains of the original structure. Wall remnants on the outside of the orchard are likely to date from this period.

The current Schloss Schönau was built on the grounds in the years after 1796. It was constructed by Baron Peter von Braun, who was considered one of the richest men in Austria at the time. The castle was equipped with Austria's first gas lighting. A fairy tale park was also laid out around the castle, centered on the Temple of Night.

However, the estate changed owners several times over the years. It was also owned by Johann von Liechtenstein or Archduke Otto of Austria, as well as Elisabeth Marie of Austria, the Red Archduchess.

During the Second World War, departments of the German Wehrmacht were housed in the castle, which is why it was under Soviet USIA administration after the war. In 1951, the castle, occupied by Red Army soldiers until 1953, became the property of Alexandrine Baroness Happack née Countess Demblin.

In 1961, Happack leased the estate to the Dutchman W. C. Holwerff. He made it available (to the federal authorities) between 1965 and 1973 for use as an emigrant camp for Soviet Jews emigrating to Israel. Before its closure resulting from the Marchegg hostage crisis, approximately 70,000 emigrants passed through the camp under the care of the Jewish Agency during its operational period.

Until its relocation to Wiener Neustadt, the Gendarmerie Einsatzkommando, today the Einsatzkommando Cobra, was housed on the property between 1978 and 1992.

The park is now designated as a natural monument and, like the entire castle estate, is owned by the Schloss Schönau operating company.

Within the castle grounds, restored guest apartments are available in the historic hunting lodge. In addition, guided tours of the remains of the Temple of Night are offered.

The park was rented by the village renewal association Erde Nakula to ensure it remains accessible to the public. The old trees are protected, and the landscape garden is maintained in a natural state. Furthermore, the park is a protected monument.