Schloss Purkersdorf: A Historic Castle in Austria

Visitor Information

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Country: Austria

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Schloss Purkersdorf is located in the town of Purkersdorf, Austria. Its origins date back to the early 11th century when a fortified residence was established by Purchart de Louppah from nearby Gablitz. Initially constructed as a defensive stronghold, the site gradually evolved into a settlement within the surrounding forested area after a period of abandonment.

The first written record of the castle appears in 1255 under the name “castrum Purchartsdorf.” At this time, Heinrich von Kreuzenstein owned the fortress, with the fief managed by the Lengenbach family. In the late 1200s, part of the fortress came under the control of the Teutonic Order, a medieval religious and military organization. By the early 14th century, ownership passed through marriage to the Habsburg family, one of Europe’s most influential dynasties. The Habsburgs established an imperial forestry office at the castle from around 1500, which functioned until the office was dissolved in 1830.

During the first Ottoman siege of Vienna in 1529, the fortress sustained heavy damage, being largely destroyed by fire. Reconstruction took place over two decades from 1533 to 1553, during which the defensive moat surrounding the castle was filled in. The second Ottoman siege in 1683 once again resulted in the fortress’s capture and significant destruction. Following this, Emperor Leopold I ordered a restoration from 1684 to 1688 that transformed the castle’s appearance from a fortified stronghold into a palatial residence, removing its military towers.

In the early 1800s, a serious fire caused further damage to the castle. Although initial plans considered demolishing it, restoration efforts prevailed, preserving the structure. Ownership transferred to the Austrian forestry authority in 1925, and extensive conservation work was completed by 1985. Since then, the building has served various civic purposes, including housing the local district court, a medical facility, the city museum of Purkersdorf, and private homes.

Remains

Schloss Purkersdorf features a rectangular layout with four wings, each rising three stories, which enclose a central courtyard. This arrangement gives the building a solid, palace-like presence in the town center, just west of the main square and behind the parish church dedicated to St. Jakob the Elder.

Originally, the fortress was surrounded by a deep water-filled moat, accessible only by a drawbridge on the eastern side. This defensive feature was removed by the end of the 19th century. The eastern façade also displayed robust corner fortifications and a prominent square keep built from finely cut ashlar stone. This tall tower once dominated the site, underscoring its defensive purpose. On the western side, round bartizans—small overhanging turrets used for surveillance and defense—added to the fortress’s protection. However, all of the original defensive towers have since been demolished.

The main entrance still retains a vaulted stone gateway with a barrel vault ceiling, constructed from large, visible stone blocks that remain from the original Romanesque keep. The castle interior has changed considerably over time, with extensive modifications to the rooms and no remaining original decorations. Among the earlier features were prison cells, which were removed during the last restoration. Some external walls are relatively plain but are supported by large buttresses that reinforce the structure.

Today, Schloss Purkersdorf stands as a protected cultural monument, recognized under the official registry number 3703, preserving a complex history of medieval fortification and later residential adaptation.