ARTSTETTEN CASTLE
Artstetten Castle stands high above the Danube, at the gateway to Austria’s Wachau region, not far from the town of Melk. Flanked by an enchanting park, it provides a fairytale backdrop against which the eventful and fateful events of Austrian and European history have played out.
The visitor learns about the often narrow line between happiness and sorrow,
between life and death, stepping into the multi-facetted world of a political
thinker, reformer, collector and, above all, family patriarch, the
Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Artstetten Castle looks back on a history filled with
change. It served as the family seat and summer residence of the imperial
family, it became the last resting place of Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand and his
spouse, Sophie Duchess of Hohenberg, who both fell victim in 1914 to a fanatical
youth on the streets of Sarajevo.
This architecturally attractive building, whose existence was first documented in the 13th century, was remodelled several times over the centuries, until finally achieving its current form: a square central building, flanked by seven distinctive towers.
The permanent exhibition, “For Heart and Crown", gives us
insights into the multi-facetted world of Franz Ferdinand and his
family.
But the visitor will also find
opportunities here for recreation and amusement –on the magnificent terrace with
views of the broad parklands, for example, or in the museum shop with its
colorful selection of items.
:: Link: Schloß
Artstetten
