Austria. Media News.

Dear friends of Austria and fellow travelers,

After our most recent excursion to the westernmost province of Austria, Vorarlberg, and its lovely Bregenzerwald region, we are taking you back east to Vienna this time and let a tale unfold that spans not only Austria but much of its former Imperial glory.

We will introduce you to the remarkable story of Prince Eugene, a queer military general who transformed Vienna's cultural landscape and left an enduring legacy. In 2023, Vienna commemorates the 300th anniversary of his masterpiece, the Belvedere Palace, with a series of exhibitions and events.

And while we are on the topic of palaces, we will dive into the how-to of exploring Austria's best castles and palaces.

Last but not least we invite you to browse and enjoy our well curated and updated video library. ​

With our best wishes for the final official days of summer!
Sigrid Pichler & Helen Bitschnau

Managers of Public Relations
Austrian Tourist Office New York City
sigrid.pichler@austria.info 
helen.bitschnau@austria.info  
tel 212 575 7723 x 119 or x 112
www.austria.info 

   

Born in Paris on October 18, 1663, into a noble but impecunious branch of the Italian Savoy family, Prince Eugene was an unappealing figure with crooked shoulders, a weirdly shaped nose, and eccentric queer affinities.He had big dreams for a military career. But due to his short height of less than five feet – and most likely because of his scandalous mother with a reputation as a poisoner – France refused to accept him into military ranks. At the age of 20, Prince Eugene decided to flee the country, and he did so disguised as a woman. When he arrived in Vienna, Emperor Leopold I of Austria desperately needed military recruits and welcomed him with open arms. The Prince gratefully dedicated his loyalty to the Austrian military and rapidly rose through the ranks. He enjoyed a heroic reputation when he saved Christianity in Western Europe after decades of siege by the Muslim Ottomans. Eventually, he served three Habsburg emperors and became their most successful military leader.

With increased success and wealth, the Prince’s longing for official recognition grew. He increasingly showcased his power with grandiose representation. During his lifetime, he built three majestic palaces: his summer residence, the Belvedere Palace with its upper and lower buildings, his Winter Palace - both in the heart of Vienna's old town - and his hunting manor Schloss Hof, 50 minutes east of Vienna.

Today, the Belvedere Palace stands as a testament to Prince Eugene's lasting legacy. Its allure beckons visitors to explore the convergence of military might, artistic passion, and architectural brilliance. Amidst its grand halls and picturesque gardens, one can delve into the essence of Prince Eugene's impact on Vienna's rich history and cultural prominence.

Along with his eagerness to join Austria’s ranks, Prince Eugene also brought with him a certain Parisian sensibility. In France, men’s fashion was full of wigs, make-up, and flamboyant clothing, and it wasn't uncommon for men to dress as women either. “The prince was unconventional,” Georg Lechner, curator of the 300-year celebration at the Belvedere, describes. “He was educated, a non-conformist with bigger ideas than was common in Vienna at that time.” Today, the local gay community full-heartedly embraces him as one of their own, celebrating this unexpected character in the country’s queer history.

In Austria, hundreds of castles and palaces promise time travel to the chivalrous Middle Ages, the Renaissance, or the splendid Baroque era, blurring the lines between past and present. To explore these majestic bastions of history is to enjoy a journey through time.

Throughout Austria, from the east to the west, centuries-old castles and palaces crown the tops of many hills or rocky precipices. They afford sweeping views and are embedded in picturesque landscapes, surrounded by meadows, fields and dense forests. Whoever sets foot in these imperial buildings and their gardens and parks will glean vivid insights into the lives of the knights, princes, and monarchs of old. Many of these castles and palaces have been meticulously renovated and made accessible to the public. Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and Eggenberg Palace in Graz also received special recognition as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Today, some of these historic buildings are used as venues for concerts, mediaeval festivals, or summer festivals - and in some of them, you can even stay overnight!

But what really is the difference between a Palace and a Castle? The main difference lies in their primary purpose: Castles were built for defense. Their thick walls granted protection from enemy armies and were usually located on top of a hill to provide better views in all directions. Castles are generally also much older than palaces – most were built in the Middle Ages. Palaces, on the other hand, were primarily built as homes, albeit very ostentatious ones. They had a representative function and reflected the wealth and power of their owners. To that end, palaces were usually designed as ornately and opulently as their owner's finances would allow, with rich furnishings, tall windows, grand ballrooms, and sweeping, artfully designed gardens. Today however, the terms are often used interchangeably.

It is very difficult to have favorites, but here are some of ours in each of Austria's nine provinces: In Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace, the aforementioned Belvedere, and the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) are definitely the standouts - but how about exploring the two Liechtenstein Palaces in Vienna? Let's stick with Prince Eugene for another moment: His summer palace Schloss Hof in Lower Austria was brought back to life as one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in the world. In Upper Austria's Lake District (Salzkammergut), the neoclassical Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl was gifted to Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Sisi as a wedding present and served as their summer residence for many years. It is worth a mention that the Bad Ischl Salzkammergut region will be European Capital of Culture in 2024.

Moving just  little further west, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, offering panoramic views of Salzburg's Old Town and the surrounding Alps. Riegersburg Castle in Styria is perched on a volcanic hill and is known for its dramatic location and houses museums dedicated to local history, witch hunts, and art. Hochosterwitz Castle in Carinthia is a stunning hilltop fortress with impressive defensive architecture and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Ambras Castle in Innsbruck in Tyrol is known for its impressive art collection and this Renaissance castle boasts a unique combination of historical artifacts and cultural treasures. Schattenburg Castle is a very well-preserved medieval fortress in Feldkirch in Vorarlberg, showcasing a museum that provides insights into the region's history and culture and holds one of the most important weaponry collections in Austria. Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt in Burgenland is a masterpiece of Austrian Baroque architecture and was once the residence of the noble Esterházy family and composer Joseph Haydn. 

And last but not least, here you will find renovated castle and palace hotels that combine the charm of historic edifices with contemporary comfort and have guests revel in dreams of bygone eras.