Liechtenstein Schloss Wilfersdorf
The cradle of the Princely House of Liechtenstein
Wilfersdorf is the ancestral castle of the ruling line of the Liechtenstein family.
Prince Gundaker (died 1658) lived with his family in Wilfersdorf Castle. The family line that is based in the Principality of Liechtenstein today goes back to him. The state coat of arms of the Principality of Liechtenstein is the coat of arms of Prince Gundaker.
Gundaker's son Fürst Hartmann (1613 - 1686) and his wife Elisabeth Sidonia (1623 - 1688) have made the family possible to this day with their children’s blessing. They were parents of 24 children, the majority of whom were born in Wilfersdorf.
There is no historical information about the previous buildings of today's castle. All that is known is that a Gothic castle stood on the site of today's building in the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the extensive renovation work in spring 2001, the foundations and Gothic wall parts were exposed. On this occasion, archaeological investigations were carried out by the Federal Monuments Office.
historical development
Year
1328
1330
1340
1347
1436
1609
1638
1647
1645
1647
1703
1713 bis 1721
1721
1801/1802
Bis 1848
1866
bis 2001
It is mentioned that in the course of fighting, the castle and town of Wilfersdorf fell into the hands of King John of Bohemia.
The Dukes Albrecht and Otto of Austria and Styria renounce their claims to the house (= the castle) of Wilfersdorf in favor of Marchard von Mistelbach.
The brothers Marchart and Erchenprecht von Mistelbach sold, among other things,
the Wilfersdorf fortress to the brothers Johann and Leutold von Kuenring.
In the event of a division of property, the “Feste zu Wuelfflestorf” goes to the Leutolt von Chuenringe.
With the consent of Duke Albrecht of Austria as feudal lord, Otto von Meissau bequeathed, among other things, the “Fort Wulfleinstorf” to his uncle Christof von Liechtenstein.
The castle was his main residence until around 1625.
A sketch of the castle's ground plan, including the bastions, dates back to 1638.
The facility was thoroughly restructured.
The fortress of Wilfersdorf had to surrender to the Swedes on a discretionary basis.
Wilfersdorf Castle underwent a thorough reconstruction and received the form that has been handed down to us through the engraving by Vischer.
severe damage caused by the Kuruc invasions.
Rebuilt under Prince Anton Florian of Liechtenstein by Anton Johann Ospel, the prince's court architect. The palace grounds included several water features and fountains, an amphitheater, a sala terrena, and more. The stones for the palace fountain came from Kromau/Moravsky Krumlov. Several engravings by J.A. Delsenbach show the original condition.
Prince Anton Florian died – Wilfersdorf was probably no longer important to his successors, as in 1723 some rooms were “adapted” as lofts.
Partial demolition of the main building and connecting structures. The model in the exhibition on the first floor shows the condition before demolition.
Seat of the regional court and the local authority.
A Prussian military hospital was set up in the castle. Forty German soldiers who had contracted cholera died there. Their graves are still preserved today in the Wilfersdorf cemetery.
Estate and Forestry Directorate of the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation on approximately 15% of the available space.
Complete renovation and new use as a joint project with the municipality of Wilfersdorf and the state of Lower Austria to create an event and exhibition center, as well as a Heurigen business and wine shop.
Top excursion destination Lower Austria
2001/2002
seit 2005
The history of the market town of Wilfersdorf is inextricably linked with the family of the Princes of Liechtenstein. Numerous monuments and buildings in the village bear witness to the eventful past of the only surviving family line. The most interesting and prominent feature of the market town is Wilfersdorf Castle. This landmark is often referred to as the bridge to the much-visited Moravian Liechtenstein castles.
In 1436 Otto von Maissau bequeathed the castle and the lordship of Wilfersdorf to Christoph II of Liechtenstein as a sovereign fief. The Liechtensteiners made Wilfersdorf the center of a great rule, which Mistelbach and Poysdorf were also incorporated. We are reminded of the Baroque period every time we walk through the town. Be it through the beautiful gables or facades from this time or through the chapels and stone monuments.
Research and documentation: Hans Huysza