Photo by Elen Farkas

In literal translation, Burgenland means “land of castles.” Annexed to post-Imperial Austria in the early 1920s after the monarchy’s defeat in World War I, the once-Hungarian province is home to a number of palaces and chateaux still maintained today by their owners.

One fascinating castle is Halbturn in the northern part of Burgenland. It is very close to Vienna—just over 30 minutes by car—and is a favored cultural hangout for tourists following a dip in nearby Lake Neusiedl.

The history of Halbturn is very rich. Built in 1711, the castle’s late baroque architecture was designed by Lucas von Hildebrandt and formerly served as the summer residence of the Habsburgs during the reign of Charles VI. Later, Empress Maria Theresia gave the castle to her favorite daughter Archduchess Marie Christine and her husband Duke Albert-Casimir von Sachsen-Teschen, who in turn founded the Albertina Museum’s graphic art collection.

The castle was destroyed during the World War II and the late 1940s. It was rebuilt by its present owners with the help of the Austrian government. Today, it is in the possession of the family of Baron Paul Waldbott-Bassenheim, a direct descendant of the Habsburg family. The castle is open to the public with various exhibitions and concerts for culture lovers. One part of the castle has become a museum.

From tomorrow April 27 through October, the museum will feature an exhibit on the secrets of Tibet. It will be open from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. The entrance fee is €8.

Aside from the castle’s park, which is free to visit, one can experience culinary delights from the on-site restaurant and sample the wines from their cellar. We recommend their Backhendl (chicken in breadcrumbs) with Vogerlsalat (a type of field lettuce) in pumpkin oil and vinegar for less than €10.

Halbturn Castle is located at Parkstrasse 4. Telephone: +43 (0)2 172 8594. Email: office@schlosshalbturn.com.

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